Broody chicken not returning to normal

[vahens]

I have a buff that went broody a few weeks ago. Not sure why we remove eggs at least once a day and don't have a rooster. She is the first hen we have had that went broody. We were constantly removing eggs trying to break her and get her out of the coop. Not sure if that was the right thing to do. Now she is over and out of the coop but she hasn't returned to normal She doesn't get around much and is real slow. She lost color and her comb got real small and is not a deep red like the others. Now she has been hanging out in the coop in a corner. Is this normal behaivor or is she sick? Should we remove her from the other chickens? What should we do?

 

[Enslaved-by-Ducks]

Remove the eggs like you already do. Remove her from the coop during the day and put her out with the other chickens to play, eat, ect..she will be ok. I have a hen who is always broody but it's up to you to redirect them...it takes time but she will return to normal. Just don't allow her to sit and sulk all day........

 

[Buff-Island-Australorp]

Postpartum depression??? (sorry, just trying to cheer you up)

 

[vahens]

Thanks that makes me feel better. I kind of figured she was ok.

 

[Highlander]

being broody takes a lot out of them, she may need some extra TLC. Scrambled eggs, yogurt and poultry vits would all be good. also, have you checked her over for mites or lice?

 

[ChooksChick]

I'm wondering if she was truly broody or whether she's ill and was just staying in the nest box. It does happen.

Can you get he looked at?

 

[Hottchick]

The silly dears! I have one that is also broody, without eggs and without a rooster. I take her out of the nest several times a day and she always puffs up and growls at me. She grumps while she's out and pecks at anyone that comes near her. I figure as long as she's eating and drinking she eventually will get over it.

 

[Judy]

Another thought is, it's easy for them to get infested with lice/mites while setting in a nest; this can actually kill them. Examine her at night with a flashlight.

http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html

 

[vahens]

Just an update, she is returning to normal. Nothing wrong with her. I've never had a hen go broody, I new thats all it was but was supprised how different she changed not only in personality but in looks also. She is a buff and she lost alot of her color and her comb went from a deep red to a light pink. I'll know next time!!

 

[seahoob]

I have a blue orpington that is exhibiting some of the same behaviors mentioned above for the past week. She is approximately one year old, has lost a few more feathers than normal, hangs out in the nesting box (until I remove her)(then she finds her way back there again), and has not laid a single egg sense she started acting that way. I have not checked for mites and lice yet as I have not seen any signs of them. So might she be broody? After my buff lays her egg in the morning I have been closing my blue out of the hen house and in a way forcing her to hang out in the chicken run with the buff. She seems to be eating well and gets excited when I offer her veggie treats. Am on the right track? Any advice?

Thanks