Broody Hen... But no eggs.

[Brandi Leigh]

Doesn't sound like typical broody behavior.

 

[LovinChicknFarmn]

Does she look "mangy"? Is she missing any feathers? If so, she's molting. But, it's also possible that she's too young to lay yet. Like you said, he just grabbed some up from the lot of them. She may have been younger. Wait it out. And, watch that comb! Good luck.

 

[donrae]

That's not broody behavior. If they are 18 months, she may just be taking a break for the winter. It's normal for hens to do. I'd not fret and wait until spring and see how things go.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Well her comb is pink. : ). I haven't checked her vent. It's been raining all day. And I noticed her comb is actually quite small. Compared to my other hens. I think she may be molting. But I have no clue.

She's not broody. But if she's the same variety as the others and her comb is noticeably smaller and paler, then either she's too young to lay or she's moulting. Either way, I'm sure she's fine and she'll lay some lovely eggs for you when she's ready.

 

[rachaelakers]

I will take pictures of them today. You can check it from there : )

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I will take pictures of them today. You can check it from there : )

We'll do our best!

 

[rachaelakers]

The first picture.... She is the one at the top of the frame. Her feathers are lighter... But not patchy...
The second one is her comb. Its not very big. Looks a little dry. Notice her messed up bottom jaw. Doesnt seem to affect her in any way.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

That's a tricky one. It's hard to tell from the photo. The comb does look less plump than a laying hen, and her comb is much smaller than my hens that are a similar variety, but if they didn't come from the same hatchery, they're different stock and the combs may be different.

My best guess is still that either she's coming off a moult and will begin laying again, or that she's already laying and the day you watched was an off day.

 

[rachaelakers]

Well I went out to take care of them again this morning and she was sitting on two eggs that weren't hers. I know this because they were both cold. And I watched the other two enter the box earlier this morning. And I saw her go in and stay for a while so I went in and looked and she was caring for two cold eggs.

 

[bruceha2000]

Well I went out to take care of them again this morning and she was sitting on two eggs that weren't hers. I know this because they were both cold. And I watched the other two enter the box earlier this morning. And I saw her go in and stay for a while so I went in and looked and she was caring for two cold eggs.

Odd that they were cold. Had she JUST gotten in the nest? The eggs my dumb broody girls sit are are toasty warm. IF I wanted to hatch chicks (and had fertile eggs) I'm sure she would do the job.

Bruce