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Broody hen?

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by unbaked pegga, Oct 20, 2015.

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  1. Oct 20, 2015 #1
    unbaked pegga

    unbaked pegga Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Nov 22, 2014
    Mt Juliet Tn
    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
     
  3. Oct 20, 2015 #2
    nchls school

    nchls school Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Apr 22, 2015
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2015
  5. Oct 20, 2015 #3
    Peeps61

    Peeps61 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Apr 19, 2014
    NW Florida
    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.
     

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