I have a bantam RIR hen, "Spicy", that I believe has become broody,(always in nestbox, gets all ruffled when I move her). Sometimes she has an egg under her and sometimes not. She has been broody for about a week or two now . It doesn't really bother me that she is broody, we don't have a rooster, so no babies. I just want to make sure she is getting enough food and scraps. (There is chicken food and water in the coop.) The girls have a 10' x 40' run and the 3 other hens are out and about in it all day, usually only going in the coop at night. When I do kick her out, to make sure she gets goodies that I throw out for them, she will peck around and eat, but goes back in the coop after about 5 to 10 minutes. My first question is, is it ok to boot her out of the coop a few hours a day, even though she is desparately trying to get back in? ( I tried it today, she got very panicky and aggitated when she could not get back in. ) Also, I noticed yesterday,and today, that when I kicked her out, she rubs the sides of her face on the ground. With my finches, the vet told me that this is a sexual/behavioral thing. Could this also be the same with the hen, since she is so broody right now. I am going to check her for mites, but none of my other hens show signs of them. Just for info, she is about a year old, has been laying for a couple of months( not sure if she is now, I have two bantams, but have only been getting one bantam egg for a while now. Up until a month ago, all 4 hens were laying- 4 different kinds of eggs!) she acts and looks healthy. Any suggestions??
Thanks!
Thanks!
