Chicken won't leave nest

[pepperkorn]

One of our year old chickens will not leave her nest. She even sleeps in there, which is odd. They are all free range and we have no roosters. She has not laid an egg in a week. I am very concerned about her. HELP! What could it be?

 

[BellLisamo]

Shes probably broody. Does she try to peck you when you reach for her?

 

[pepperkorn]

No she doesn't peck at me and we have no rooster so I thought brooding was not an issue.

 

[Mrs.Puff]

You've got a broody! They don't even care if there's no eggs under there. She'll sit on golf balls. if you want chicks, you need to get some fertile eggs under her. She could sit there forever if she doesn't have the satisfaction of hatching, unless you break her of broodiness. This often requires putting the hen in a wire bottom cage with no bedding, etc.

 

[Mrs.Puff]

Some broodies don't peck. I have a really calm hen that never pecks when she is broody, which has been many times.