Depressed or laying?

[CitrineTopaz]

Last day my ONLY hen was with my rooster was 3/30/14, I had to give him away - city limits & now she won't come out of her nest (about a week or two now, I didn't notice/think much of it at first) Question ~ Is she lonely/depressed or could she be sitting on eggs to hatch? She won't let me see if there is an egg(s) under her.
I'm new at this chicken stuff so your input of wisdom is greatly appreciated! What to do to help her in either case ~ feed, water, a coop friend???

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! She could very well be broody... is she sitting in the nesting box day and night, does she kind of flatten out and fluff her feathers and hiss and peck at you if you bother her? There are some nice articles on broody hens in the Learning Center you might like to check out. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/broody-hens and https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/encouraging-or-discouraging-broodiness-in-your-hens and the BYC Learning Center in general, lots of good articles on all aspects of chicken keeping. https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center Hens do not need a rooster around to go broody, they will try to hatch infertile eggs or even fake eggs, golf balls, etc...

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Get her a buddy! Chickens need a chicken friend.

 

[Judy]

I don't know that chickens get lonely or depressed, but they do react to any change, taking some time to adjust, and a hen who just hatched chicks will search for them if they are taken away right away. They also don't do well living alone; they do best in a flock.

You need to get her out of there and see what is under her, and see what condition she is in. You should probably look her over for wounds, and lice/mites, or just any sign of illness or injury.You can wear a pair of heavy work gloves if needed. Or you can have someone gently hold her around the neck with a sort of loop make of fingers, then pick her up by her sides. She should calm down if you hold her firmly for a minute. You can even lay her on her back for better examination.

If she's sitting on eggs and things are OK, you won't find piles of poop in the nest. She will have been getting up, usually once a day, and eating and drinking (and pooping) when you aren't looking. If you want to let her hatch, which is the simplest way to break a broody anyway, just set her down somewhere and let her return to the nest. Don't put the food and water too close to the nest. She needs to get up and move every day, get that little bit of exercise. It's normal for a broody to lose a little weight, and to be missing some breast feathers.

If she hatches some chicks, that can be your flock. If not, you can try to find another hen about her size, after she is up and around, that is. Or maybe you can find a flock to add her to, and start over.

Good luck!

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

I agree with Judy here, you need to get her out and see what is going on. Chickens can change in personality when a flock mate disappears however. Whether or not she is broody you can determine when you get her out. Give her an exam from beak to tail to make sure she is healthy, no bugs and any other issues.

I would try to get her a friend. Chickens are very social creatures and need each other for proper mental and physical health.

Good luck with your hen and welcome to our flock!

 

[gander007]

Sounds like you have received some good advice above

 

[CitrineTopaz]

Wow! Thanks for all the helpful information!!
I will have to get some heavy gloves (she does try to peck me) & I will move her food back away (I had moved it closer not thinking or seeing her get out to eat - didn't want her to starve)
I did get two baby chicks to keep her company but I was told I need to ease them in after they're a bit older so they don't get "hen pecked". I will hand raise them so they won't be "chicken" of me like the hen is. IF my hen is hatching, I hope it's only 1 egg, I don't really want too many chickens & I hope they will get along!!
Thank you again to you who responded with suggestions!

 

[CitrineTopaz]

I was able to check under my hen this morning & saw three eggs (I'm still curious if they are fertilized?)
This afternoon she was out & squawking like crazy - I don't know if she's done this over the last days, today was the first nice sunny day & I was out near the coop to observe.
Wondering when/if the eggs will hatch, "about date".

 

[drumstick diva]

I would assume for now that the eggs are fertilized. If she spends much time away from her eggs I would think either she isn't broody or just inexperienced.

Broody hens usually need to be put out manually, so they will leave the nest long enough to eat,drink and poo. Some are dedicated to the point where they will starve if you don't do this 2-3 times a day.

 

[CitrineTopaz]

i took the eggs from out under my hen (they had been there over a month) & she still is not coming out of her house.