Could incessant broodiness be a sign of a reproductive disorder? Or a hormonal imbalance?

[BigBlueHen53]

Atilla the Hen has been broody since about 10 months of age. I gave her two eggs and she hatched and raised one. She went broody immediately again and after almost 3 weeks I gave her and another broody 21 purchased day-old chicks, which she raised, fiercely protective. After weaning, she's broody again. She does not lay eggs, but she's real grumpy. I take her off the nest every afternoon and toss her out with the flock for afternoon worms and scratch. She eats like she's starving but moves like her legs are stiff, and she's very grumpy at the other chickens, charging at them, and they run from her though she doesn't actually make contact. Is she unwell? Is it time to cull her? She seems very unhappy.

 

[MROO]

What breed is she? Some breeds are naturally broody to begin with. Some individual hens are, too. I have a perpetually broody Nankin bantam. She's driving me NUTS!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

What breed is she? Some breeds are naturally broody to begin with. Some individual hens are, too. I have a perpetually broody Nankin bantam. She's driving me NUTS!

Hi MROO, thanks for responding. On "paper," she's a lavender EE. But you take one look and you say, Oh, that's a lavender Orp! She even looks more English than American to my untrained eye. She's all poof and no meat, lol.

 

[Yardmom]

Does she lay a few eggs before becoming broody?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Does she lay a few eggs before becoming broody?

Does not seem to.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Have you tried the broody jail for 60 hours (3 days, 2 nights) in a dog crate as soon as she goes broody again?

I know that many say that broodiness is natural and that we should let pullets and hens go broody, but your poor girl seems like she's being harmed by perpetually sitting (stiff-legged gait, etc.)

It seems like it might be worth a try. I'm guessing it will take longer than the 3d/2n duration.

For those who aren't familiar with broody jail, @DobieLover just described it on another thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/broody-hen-being-bullied.1677814/#post-28853526

 

[Beau plus penny]

Atilla the Hen has been broody since about 10 months of age. I gave her two eggs and she hatched and raised one. She went broody immediately again and after almost 3 weeks I gave her and another broody 21 purchased day-old chicks, which she raised, fiercely protective. After weaning, she's broody again. She does not lay eggs, but she's real grumpy. I take her off the nest every afternoon and toss her out with the flock for afternoon worms and scratch. She eats like she's starving but moves like her legs are stiff, and she's very grumpy at the other chickens, charging at them, and they run from her though she doesn't actually make contact. Is she unwell? Is it time to cull her? She seems very unhappy.

if she is a silkie or a cochin they just like to have babies

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Thanks, am familiar with it. Have read aart's* description of the method, imagine they are similar?

I thought once she raised a brood or two, her egg-laying hormones would kick back in, but that hasn't been the case. I've done battle with determined Orps before and ended up culling them as it became obvious I wasn't going to win. Those poor girls were in and out of broody jail over and over again and it just did no good at all - and none of those three were anywhere near as dedicated as my Atilla.

*R.I.P. aart.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

if she is a silkie or a cochin they just like to have babies

She's an Orpington-based EE.

 

[Beau plus penny]

She's an Orpington-based EE.

is this her. she probably got the broody from the orp