Broody or no?

[birdsareamazing]

So I put a couple of golf balls in the nest box hoping one of my chickens will go broody. Then one of the hens, Little Red Hen, seemed to be quite interested in the golf balls. She also was laying her own egg while laying on the two golf balls. Once the egg was out she still sat there instead of walked away like usual. I tried to grab the egg but she pecked my hand away. It didn't hurt, but it was still surprising. She is usually very nice. Does this mean she has gone broody? And how can I get her egg?

 

[sourland]

Lift her up and take the egg - if necessary wear a pair of gloves. Once she stays on the nest overnight (some demand 2 nights) she is broody.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

So I put a couple of golf balls in the nest box hoping one of my chickens will go broody. Then one of the hens, Little Red Hen, seemed to be quite interested in the golf balls. She also was laying her own egg while laying on the two golf balls. Once the egg was out she still sat there instead of walked away like usual. I tried to grab the egg but she pecked my hand away. It didn't hurt, but it was still surprising. She is usually very nice. Does this mean she has gone broody? And how can I get her egg?

It is not uncommon for a hen to settle back into the nest for a rest and recovery period after expelling the egg now and then, some make more of a habit than others. I wouldn't jump to broody given just what you described above. As sourland said, reach in and take the egg and *if* she stays on the nest (I do a 2 days/2 nights *test* for being serious about being broody) then you can count her as broody, but for now I'd just count her as choosing to take a rest and not wanting to be bothered.

 

[birdsareamazing]

Okay thanks

 

[drumstick diva]

She probably thinks she has laid enough egg(incl. golf balls) to deserve a vacation.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!