So I have 3 chickens, 2 new girls, about a year old, and one old girl, 9 years old. My old girl lost her best friend (same age) about 2 months ago. The new girls and Polly, my old girl, are in separate but side by side coops and free range together in the afternoons. Don't like sleeping together though. About two weeks ago, Polly started acting "off", wouldn't come out of her nest box, making weird noises, not eating. I figured she was feeling bad and didn't want me to touch her, so I didn't. I've been thinking she's dying, and put oatmeal, treats, water, etc. inside her house where she could reach them. Every morning and every afternoon I've been checking on her and dreading the day that I open the box and find she's gone to chicken heaven. But... I am a dummy! I haven't been checking her nest box for eggs, since she quit laying almost a year ago. Today I saw an egg next to her when I opened the box, and it hit me: my 9 year old hen has gone broody!!! I picked up her annoyed self and put her outside. She fluffed her feathers and immediately started looking for bites to eat. Underneath her: 6 eggs! Anyone else ever have a 9 year old hen pick up laying and go broody (for the first time in her life!!!)? I figure she never went that way before because I was always sure to check her nest box each day. I can't believe I missed all the signs... great day, though! I've had Polly her whole life and nursed her back from coccidiosis when she was three days old. Not dying, just broody! hahaha