Crazy chicken?

[miken 89]

I have a Rhode Island Red hen that was caught by three puppies and used in a three way tug of war “game”. The hen survived after several weeks of nursing her back to health and has even returned to laying. The last few weeks she’s been isolating herself in a nesting box and becomes irate but not aggressive, whenever I try get her out. Once out, she eats, drinks water and will race out into the yard, clucking and squawking all the way. She starts scratching and behaving somewhat normally after that. I’m wondering if she’s suffering dementia or PTSD? Or could there be another cause. She’s the only hen with this issue and I’m almost certain it’s the same one that was attacked. She has a stunted comb from the ordeal.

 

[sourland]

It sounds as if you have a broody hen. She wants to incubate some eggs and become a mother.

 

[AltonaAcres]

Yes, that's most definitely the case.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a link with signs of a broody hen:
https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2016/05/top-ten-signs-of-broody-hen.html

 

[miken 89]

I didn’t think hatchery chickens brooded?

 

[miken 89]

You’re right that link describes her behavior to a tee! Thanks! Now if I only had a roo!

 

[Eggcessive]

Well, most of my chickens, except for some ameraucanas, came from a hatchery—Meyer in Ohio, and over the years, probably a third of them went broody. All different breeds have taken turn being broody—silkies, d’uccles, australorps, ameraucanas,
RIR, and others went broody. I just broke one 7 year old that was broody 2 weeks ago. Many complain they never have broodies, but mine have driven me crazy breaking them constantly.

 

[sourland]

You’re right that link describes her behavior to a tee! Thanks! Now if I only had a roo!

No rooster is needed. If you want to hatch chicks you could always purchase some fertile eggs or you could foster chicks to her.

 

[miken 89]

Thank you all, one last question. Can I expect her to brood again next year or later this year. Because I would like to build my flock and that seems the most reasonable way. Plus I’m assuming that a broody hen will have other hens that brood.

 

[sourland]

She will most likely go broody again, and it is a good way to increase your flock. Fostering with sexed pullet chicks helps limit the possibility of getting unwanted cockerels. Yes, the daughters of broody hens tend to go broody. It in my experience is a heritable trait as is good mothering instincts.