delusional brooder and make believe rooster

[waterouzel]

I have 4 Black Star hens that started laying last winter. Initially they were regular egg laying machines--4 a day without fail and then one went broody. She never sat on any eggs but ferociously defended the empty nest box. I supplied a second laying box and then kept the broody one in a suspended parrot cage for a week. When I put her back with the others all was well for about a month but now she's broody again and back in 'jail'. Is this a lost cause or is there some other recourse besides the stew pot. This seems to have upset the others as I now only get 1 to 2 eggs a day from the 3 remaining hens. One never lays at all anymore and has begun acting like a rooster.

This is my first attempt at keeping chickens and I have tried to follow the wonderful advice I've found on this forum. My hens get laying pellet on demand and are housed in a chicken tractor with enough inside and outside space. I also toss in kitchen scraps, garden trimmings, a bit of scratch and occasionally a few scoops of oyster shell lime. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Waterouzel

 

[Judy]

If you live where you can have a roo, I'd find me a free one on here with a good personality and let them raise baby chicks. The one who acts like a roo might go back to laying, too.