Conundrum-broody? Practicing? Playing? What's going on?

[Matejka]

I have a flock of 7, 6 pullets (2 new hampshire, a Australorp, a black sex link and 2 game) and a cockerel. ALL ARE 21 WEEKS.
I have 3 nest boxes, fake egg in each one.
I started getting eggs 3 weeks ago, 3 a day, everyday. Never ever hear egg song, they go lay then back to free ranging. I know who's laying-new Hampshire's (Henrietta and brownie, and black sex link (Goldie). They always use nest boxes 1 & 2. NEVER box 3.
One day last week Henrietta spent extra amount of time in coop, checked she's sitting in nest 1. About 2 hours then she left. Fake egg and fresh egg.
Couple days later brownie did same thing, nest 2, About an hour just sitting. Fake egg and fresh egg.
Today, nobody excessive in coop, I check for eggs around 3 p.m. daily everyday. Nest 1 &2 are clean, not hay no fake egg no fresh egg. Nest 3 has All the hay, all 3 fake eggs and all 3 fresh eggs. I refilled nest 1&2 fresh hay, fake egg back in each box and left nest 3 alone. What's going on?

 

[Ruthster55]

Playing. Just make sure to collect eggs consistently.

Those breeds or hybrids EXCEPT FOR THE GAMES and maybe the Australorps are unlikely to go broody but you should collect eggs regularly so they don’t try to beak any eggs or, worse, eat them.

The NH’s and Sex Links are good egg layers and should be making breakfast!

However.... those Game hens are very broody and want to raise chicks!! They could even steal eggs from your other hens .....

 

[ChemicalchiCkns]

It is un likely, I think, that the would be BROODY. Do they Peck and Sqweal and Puff themselfs up?

 

[Matejka]

Playing. Just make sure to collect eggs consistently.

Those breeds or hybrids EXCEPT FOR THE GAMES are unlikely to go broody but you should collect eggs regularly so they don’t try to beak any eggs or, worse, eat them.

They are good egg layers and should be making breakfast!

However.... those Game hens are very broody and want to raise chicks!! They could even steal eggs from your other hens .....

I collect eggs daily. Thanks!

 

[Matejka]

It is un likely, I think, that the would be BROODY. Do they Peck and Sqweal and Puff themselfs up?

Nope, just sit for a while. Thanks!

 

[Matejka]

Playing. Just make sure to collect eggs consistently.

Those breeds or hybrids EXCEPT FOR THE GAMES and maybe the Australorps are unlikely to go broody but you should collect eggs regularly so they don’t try to beak any eggs or, worse, eat them.

The NH’s and Sex Links are good egg layers and should be making breakfast!

However.... those Game hens are very broody and want to raise chicks!! They could even steal eggs from your other hens .....

I don't have a problem with chickens doing what come naturally (brooding)b just trying to wrap my brain around the girls brain and figure out what's what. The games were raised wild, never been a coop til I got them. They had to learn what chicken feed was. It's possible one of them is the new housekeeper, and is rearranging her "house".

 

[Ruthster55]

It is un likely, I think, that the would be BROODY. Do they Peck and Sqweal and Puff themselfs up?

That is exactly what a broody hen does!

You probably should collect eggs two or three times a day except for the ones under that hen. That’s a Game or maybe the Australorp, correct??

I’ll bet it’s a Game playing baby chick games with you!!

Congratulations - you’ve got chicks on the way!

 

[Matejka]

That is exactly what a broody hen does!

You probably should collect eggs two or three times a day except for the ones under that hen. That’s a Game or maybe the Australorp, correct??

I’ll bet it’s a Game playing baby chick games with you!!

Congratulations - you’ve got chicks on the way!

There is no hen to get eggs from under. No one's staying longer than an hour or so in a nestbox. Considering the temp is between 98 and 104 maybe they figure the eggs are gonna stay warm enuff. So far, I'm not leaving any eggs to set on-yet. Just fake eggs.

 

[aart]

It's possible one of them is the new housekeeper, and is rearranging her "house".

Yep.
New layers can make mess of the nests at first.
Also some birds like to 'lounge' a bit, both before and/or after they actually lay.

 

[Matejka]

Yep.
New layers can make mess of the nests at first.
Also some birds like to 'lounge' a bit, both before and/or after they actually lay.

Thanks! That would explain them sitting a while. In coop, 104 in the shade 90% humidity. I was kinda worried they would get too warm, but figured they have enuff sense to get outta the fire. (Coop) and into deep shade.