Broody hen scratching her beak

[Chickens :)]

hello everyone. I have a broody hen that has been sitting on her eggs for a week now but I have noticed some strange behaviours. There are two other broody hens that I put eggs under at the same time and they are doing really well. They get off the eggs twice a day and eat and drink, the other one though only recently has decided to get off her eggs as I have been making her. Her comb and wattle are both pale while the other girls have a more red colour to theirs. She also is quite skinny which I am presuming is normal because they don’t eat as much. The main problem though is the fact that she is scratching her beak. About 2 days ago I noticed that there was blood just under her nostril on top of her beak. I thought she may have scratched it on the seed so I didn’t think much of it. But today I checked on her and she got off her eggs and had a scratch around but stopped and started scratching just above her beak on both sides. The only way I could stop her was by putting her back on the eggs. Is there something irritating her or is she bored? Any help would be appreciated.
Thankyou

 

[Chickens :)]

Here are some images of my broody hens face.

 

[Grits&Eggs]

My broody does that too, I thought it was her being aggressive to the others, she squawks and scratches her beak and puffs her feathers up tremendously, when anyone gets near her she pecks them....thinking it is part of the ritual????

 

[Grits&Eggs]

anyone else have any other ideas?? I can't stand when they are broody, i don't have a rooster and need the eggs!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My broody does that too, I thought it was her being aggressive to the others, she squawks and scratches her beak and puffs her feathers up tremendously, when anyone gets near her she pecks them....thinking it is part of the ritual????

anyone else have any other ideas?? I can't stand when they are broody, i don't have a rooster and need the eggs!

This is an old thread, but if you would like to post some photos of your broody and her face, we will be happy to take a look.
If she is scratching at her face, then look her over for lice/mites. Broodies don't always take the time to take a dust bath and are prone to getting external parasites.
A Permethrin based poultry spray or dust can be used to treat an infestation on your broody and her nesting area, you don't want her to have parasites when your chicks hatch, that can cause some problems.

 

[Grits&Eggs]

thanks @Wyorp Rock I added some DE to the nest box and she seems like she is more alert, and scratching her beak less!!