Broody, Isolated Hen

[CSAchook]

Rockford, MI. And she's not molting. Do you think she's getting picked on because she's broody, or could it be a separate issue?

Chickens will pick on the weak or different. Broodies behave oddly and therefore are often harassed by other flock members. Hopefully now that the hormones are fading the flock will accept her again soon.

 

[The_Cat]

Not sure there, BO are usually really mellow chickens. You may want to repost in the Emergencies, Injury, Disease and Cures section, I'm wondering if Egg Bound but I'm guessing. Does she have any other symptoms? Squatting? Discharge from her vent? Puffy abdomen?

She seems smaller than usual, but she is eating and running around during the day. I checked her abdomen, and nothing seems to be protruding, but I am not certain I know what I'm looking for when checking for a bound egg?? That's a good idea to post her symptoms in Emergencies.... Thank you!

 

[ronott1]

Where are you located? Is she molting? They won't lay when broody, you could try opening the nest box & see what happens. But it she goes & sits, she needs the wire cage.

Could be this. They do sometimes molt after being broody

 

[redranger209]

I'm not sure I am equipped to handle a freshly hatched baby chick. I work 40+hrs a week, so if extra attention is required, I won't be able to provide it.

Just give em a different feed. The broody will do the rest.

 

[Elfer]

Did she lay before you let her out? How do you know she's done being broody?

She didn't lay till later. Might take a while. She's done being broody when she stops running around puffed up, making the broody sound, and roosting instead of setting in a nesting box at night.

 

[The_Cat]

She didn't lay till later. Might take a while. She's done being broody when she stops running around puffed up, making the broody sound, and roosting instead of setting in a nesting box at night.

Excellent! So, she's done then! But she's still getting picked on, and she tries to sleep by herself on a small roost next to the coop. Do I let her sleep by herself? I've been moving her to the bigger roost with the other chickens. I don't know how to handle the bully situation.

 

[aart]

What else should I be doing? Should I let my Australorp sleep by herself? This is my first time dealing with a broody chicken and a bully!!

Just keep putting her on the roost after dark.
She's being 'picked on' because she was broody for a few weeks and needs to reestablish her place in the flock, and she may not start laying again for a few weeks, both of these things are 'normal'.

 

[The_Cat]

Just keep putting her on the roost after dark.
She's being 'picked on' because she was broody for a few weeks and needs to reestablish her place in the flock, and she may not start laying again for a few weeks, both of these things are 'normal'.

Thank you for the reassurance! Will do!
Any thoughts why the bully chicken isn't laying?

 

[aart]

Thank you for the reassurance! Will do!
Any thoughts why the bully chicken isn't laying?

Answered in your other thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...tralorp-but-also-displaying-symptoms.1245620/