Broody vs. Internal laying

[chickenlibraria]

Hi:
I have a partridge rock hen that is just over a year old. She went thru (and still is) a moderate molt. A couple of weeks ago I started getting soft shelled eggs. I didn't think anything of it since I've read molting hens can stop laying and/or lay soft eggs. Yesterday when I checked on the girls I noticed one girl laying in the nest box. Every time I checked on the chickens she was still in there. For hours. She acts like she's broody but she had some soft poops that looked like they *might* have yellow in them. But I don't know what poo with egg in it looks like. Trust me, I've tried to find an example online. I had her separated all night and all day today. She's acting normal-poops seem to be okay, eating, moving around, etc.

So this afternoon I locked her in the crate in the garage (she'd been out in the garage all day). She laid for a couple of hours acting like she wanted to lay an egg. Her vent was opening and closing but there's nothing. I've checked, given her a bath, etc. I gave her a tums crushed in yogurt to help give her a little calcium boost.

So how do I know if she's laying internally or if she's just broody. I put her back in the coop. All the other girls are free ranging and, you guessed it, she's in the nest box.

Thanks!
K

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would think broody. When they lay internally they stand upright like a penguin.

 

[chickenlibraria]

I would think broody. When they lay internally they stand upright like a penguin.

Thank you. I just fought her off from the nesting boxes. I actually had to put the feeders in the boxes in order to keep her out. She finally went to roost. I'm guessing broody too!

She's definitely acting weird but normal. Weird in that she's preening a lot and her vent is working overtime. And the whole laying in the nest box thing. All. The. Time. Normal in that she's eating and drinking. Her abdomen is completely normal (I think abnormal abdomen is another sign of internal issues?!?).

Thanks again!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You would see a sick bird who wouldn't eat or move much. Every broody is different in her behaviors.

 

[chickenlibraria]

I thought we might have broken her broody but this morning one of the other hens was chasing her and beating up on her!!! I've pulled her out until I can get home from work and deal with the situation. It's never ending with this flock!