Broody hen?

[unbaked pegga]

I know I ask a lot of questions but I think my buff Lily is trying to go or is broody. She is moulting some. She hasn't laid an egg for a couple of weeks. Today she was in the nest box and laid an egg. I took it out and she became very upset and grumpy. She came out and attacked my other 2 buffs. And she did the strangest thing, she started picking up pieces of straw and leaves and acted like she was trying to put them on her back. (?) I have opened up the nest box and she is currently out eating cornbread. But I don't want her to go broody. I don't have the money to go out and get a cage. The other 2 buffs sleep in that nest box. So I don't know quite what to do

 

[nchls school]

I know I ask a lot of questions but I think my buff Lily is trying to go or is broody. She is moulting some. She hasn't laid an egg for a couple of weeks. Today she was in the nest box and laid an egg. I took it out and she became very upset and grumpy. She came out and attacked my other 2 buffs. And she did the strangest thing, she started picking up pieces of straw and leaves and acted like she was trying to put them on her back. TYPICAL NEST BUILDING BEHAVIOR THAT IS DONE WHILE EGG LAYING AND BROODING.(?) I have opened up the nest box and she is currently out eating cornbread. But I don't want her to go broody. I don't have the money to go out and get a cage. WHY A CAGE? The other 2 buffs sleep in that nest box. So I don't know quite what to do FROM YOUR POST IT SOUNDS LIKE THE HEN HAS JUST STARTED TO LAY AGAIN. A BROODY HEN GROWLS WHEN DISTURBED ON THE NEST. THEY HAVE A TENDENCY TO WALK AROUND FLUFFED WITH THEIR WINGS HANGING DOWN. THEY CLUCK. WHEN A HEN STICKS TO THE NEST AROUND THE CLOCK LEAVING FOR ONLY SHORT PERIODS OF TIME THEN SHE IS BROODY.

 

[Peeps61]

Yes, I agree with nchls school. If she is growling at you while sitting on her nest, then she is most likely broody or getting there. She may just be coming back into lay from molting. My cochin was broody for a few months before she finally broke of it, then she molted. She is now running around with the other hens with a nice coat of feathers, but no eggs yet.

You can't mistake a broody hen. They are very grouchy about being disturbed and almost impossible to keep out of the nest, unless you lock them out.