Chicken protective over nest

[Chick Magnet040]

Only one of my 3 chickens lay eggs and she just stopped and I figured it was because of winter but she is now protective over the nest. She is always sitting on it and we can't get her to move when we are movin them to their pen out front. Anyone know why she is protective over the box?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Only one of my 3 chickens lay eggs and she just stopped and I figured it was because of winter but she is now protective over the nest. She is always sitting on it and we can't get her to move when we are movin them to their pen out front. Anyone know why she is protective over the box?

She has gone broody.

 

[holm25]

She has gone broody.

X2

 

[Kelsie2290]

X3 Sounds like you have a broody hen, there is a nice article in the Learning Center that has some tips for discouraging them, https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/encouraging-or-discouraging-broodiness-in-your-hens if you don't want to have her hatch eggs.

 

[Chick Magnet040]

Thankyou I have family looking to get some more chickens so we'll get her some eggs and when they grow up send them to family.

 

[Happy Chooks]

The key to identifying a broody is whether she is on the nest at night. If she's been on the nest more than 2 consecutive nights, she's broody. They will frequently pluck their bellies as well, the bare patch helps regulate humidity for hatching. (though not all broodies pluck their bellies)