Broody before laying?

[Rystall]

So one of my barred rocks is being weird. She was all buffed up in a little nest she made. But she isn't laying yet! She has been doing this for days trying out different spots. When I tried to get her up and to eat and drink she did both then plopped back in her spot. I had been thinking she is just trying to figure out the best place to lay her first egg!

But today she pecked me and growled! She has never done that! So I put her in an old kids hard hat with some bedding and an egg that was still warm from one of my other hens. I doubt it fertile , our roo is younger and just starting to figure out whats what with the ladies, but I thought if she wants to sit on an egg why not! I might see if our bantam eggs are fertile and stick one of those under her if this continues and I can get one close to it being laid. After I put her on "her" egg I tried to hand feed her, all my chickens love to eat out of my hand, and she growled, full on dino growled.

So it is possible she if broody before she has laid?

 

[iwiw60]

I haven't personally experienced this, but I would think it is possible...sounds like you have a true broody on your hands! Let us know how it goes and keep us updated!