Broody chicken causing other hens to stop laying?

[Newchick429]

We have 2 chickens that are officially “ours” two that came unexpectedly, and a handful that have claimed the yard. We only coop our main two and the adopted two at night. Often the more wild ones will nest elsewhere.

A chicken that “claimed” our yard decided to make our ducks laying area her nest and got broody. They fought over the nest daily. It wasn’t protected though, so sadly no babies for either. Our duck hasn’t laid since and has started molting. Is this normal?

Meanwhile one of our rescues went broody in the coop where they all laid eggs communally. Now there’s just our one rebel hen laying outside the coop, no more eggs to be found. We used to get 4-5 a day.

Is this normal? I guess it’s either that or they’ve found really good hiding spots (not many in our yard though) tyia for any advice!

 

[Debbie292d]

No, a broody hen wouldn't cause the others to stop laying. I know this from experience as I almost always have at least one broody hen. It also wouldn't force the duck into molting. But, all of this probably did cause some stress which could affect the egg laying.

Perhaps you're right that they are laying them somewhere else.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If the broody is antagonistic enough it could've driven the other hens to find nesting sites elsewhere, so since it sounds like you have a very open set up they could be laying almost anywhere.

 

[Newchick429]

Yes, thank you. You’re both right. I found one of our hens laying outside our fence.

As for the duck…no clue. She definitely can’t get outside of our area.

The “wild” chicken that fought over the ducks nest is now trying to go into the coop and take over our little rescue, but she’s not having it lol. Poor thing, maybe she’ll adopt the babies if they hatch. The chicken that’s broody didn’t make a nest or anything, so I’m not sure how good of a mom she will be.

 

[deanadid]

Yes, thank you. You’re both right. I found one of our hens laying outside our fence.

As for the duck…no clue. She definitely can’t get outside of our area.

The “wild” chicken that fought over the ducks nest is now trying to go into the coop and take over our little rescue, but she’s not having it lol. Poor thing, maybe she’ll adopt the babies if they hatch. The chicken that’s broody didn’t make a nest or anything, so I’m not sure how good of a mom she will be.

Our ducks have been extremely good hiders with one nesting in plain sight. It took us several days to find her at the base of a pear tree.