Broody or Sick???

[newhenstein castle]

Hi,

a couple of days ago we came back from a weekend trip out of town. Instead of 2 times 4 eggs (2 days, 4 hens) I only found 6 eggs. I soon started giving them their treats and kitchen scraps and noticed that my golden sexlink wasn't interested in the delicassies I put riht in front of her. She IS the one who eats last and gets pecked (although she is a week older than the others and is my best layer and my favorite andandandand). But since she does miss out on some goodies I sneak her some bites when the others aren't looking. But she just won't take it. Then I interupted her laying yesterday morning when I came to collect the eggs. When I tried again in the afternoon she was back in there again. Today the same thing happened and as I went out to close the gate at 9:30 pm I checked if she layed indeed an egg or if she is having trouble getting them out, hence the frequent visits to the box and the missing eggs. But guess what, she was still in the same position inside the next box. There where however 4 eggs and they were hot and steemy from her sitting on them.

Now here my questions?

- Is she broody?

If yes:
- How do I stop her?
- Is it bad for the eggs to be kept so warm for so long like today?

If no:
- Is she just sad because the others don't want to play? just kidding
- Could she be sick?


Thanks for reading. Help please??

 

[Kittymomma]

She might be.

Does she puff up and squack, growl, try to peck, or otherwise seem cranky when you reach under her for the eggs? After a day or two they usually get up and get a quick bite to eat, something to drink, maybe indulge in a fast dust bath and then deposit a huge stinking poo. They only poo once a day or sometimes once every few days so it's very large and very nasty. So, have you seen any broody poo?

The eggs from today are fine, if she was sitting on some for the two days that you were gone I'd toss them.

Here is a great thread on breaking a broody--saves me from typing it all out.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3048239

It's possible she's ill, especially if staying in the nest box is the only broody type behaviour that you're seeing. Pick her up and give her a good going over. Pay particular attention around and under the vent for any signs of being egg bound or mites/lice.

 

[newhenstein castle]

Hi, thanks for your input. I'll check on her today. I hope she is just broody that might be helped. I will read the link you put in. Thanks a bunch.
Conny