Broody or egg bound??

[presley]

I have a hen who has only been laying for about a month. Yesterday she sat in a nesting box all day, and all night last night. When I went out to check on her last night about 7:30, I did find an egg, about to fall out of box that I possibly could have missed earlier because I didn't check from the other side of box, so I don't know when she had it. She was fine, sleeping. She is still in box this morning, I gave her some food, and she ate it , but seems hostile toward me, makes "mean" clucking noises when I try to dislodge her from the box. Does this seem to be broody behavior? She doesn't seem to be in any kind of pain or distress.

 

[galanie]

Sounds broody to me. Does she sort of zone out a bit? Sometimes the term "zombie pancake hen" fits perfectly.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yeah, sounds broody to me too. They get snappy. An egg bound bird will be too uncomfortable to be mean. They'll usually go in and out of the nest and you'll see the vent pulsing. A broody just sits.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Yup, she sounds broody.

 

[presley]

yeah that sounds just like her. I just came in from watering them, she's still there. Tried to nudge her out, no way is she going anywhere! I don't have fertile eggs, have one rooster but don't think he's old enough for the job yet, so don't think her eggs would be fertile anyway. Should I just leave her alone? Or try to find her some fertile eggs somewhere?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Where are you located?

There are fertile eggs for sale here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=36

Since she's a first time broody, just don't buy the expensive ones.

 

[presley]

Southern Alabama. So if I buy eggs, I just put them under her and let her do the rest? And what if she's not broody by time eggs get here? I've never done this before , only had chickens 6 months!!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
I usually make them sit on an empty nest for 2 nights before giving them eggs. By then they are usually serious about it.

As for not being broody when the eggs arrive, that's why you don't buy expensive eggs for a first time broody. Most hens will sit the entire time, but sometimes they quit mid way through. There's no way to know until you give her the chance.

What breed is she?

 

[presley]

She is cuckoo marans . When I got her I thought she was barred rock, but her eggs are chocolate brown. I posted pics in the what breed section everyone agreed cuckoo marans. I have 2 just alike.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Marans are usually good broodies.