Complaining hen?

[Chookencrazy]

My hen isn’t broody but she sure seems to complain when she goes back into the coop to find no eggs there? Is this in my head or just normal chicken behavior?

 

[JadeFarms]

It might just be that she’s singing the egg song.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do you keep fake eggs in the nests or no? Some birds can become alarmed if they're expecting to see eggs, and don't see any.

 

[CluckerFamily]

I usually talk to my chickens.... who doesn't?!?
I congratulate them, say it's okay, etc. They usually calm down and eventually stop being so alarmed about the eggs missing.

 

[Chookencrazy]

I’ve learnt to just leave an egg in each nest so she doesn’t freak out as much then swap it out for the latest egg when she isn’t looking. Would a golf ball work as a fake egg?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I’ve learnt to just leave an egg in each nest so she doesn’t freak out as much then swap it out for the latest egg when she isn’t looking. Would a golf ball work as a fake egg?

Yes. I started keeping golf balls in the nests so the pullets would get the idea of where they should lay, and now they just stay there all the time.

 

[Chookencrazy]

Yes. I started keeping golf balls in the nests so the pullets would get the idea of where they should lay, and now they just stay there all the time.

Perfect. Thank you.

 

[Peggyjom]

I take all the eggs always. I do have one that will hide hers but now that we got younger birds she quit laying almost all together. Should I leave a wooden egg in the coupe

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I take all the eggs always. I do have one that will hide hers but now that we got younger birds she quit laying almost all together. Should I leave a wooden egg in the coupe

I don't think it's necessary. Is she molting?

 

[Peggyjom]

I don't think it's necessary. Is she molting?

Nope she is not molting I do always try to give when I take. A handful of Grubbly’s or a cut up squash they tend to chatter the entire time but I think it is happy chatter.