Egg bound hen?? Help!

[CharlotteRenee]

So we have this 1 year old splash Orpington hen and she seems like she may be egg bound... She has been in the nesting box A LOT recently and hasn't laid in a couple days... She hasn't had a problem with laying before, but I thought this might be from stress? Recently our black orp rooster has been mating with our girls and it seems to be taking a toll on them... We are trying to get rid of him asap... What should we do about our hen??? Please help! Oh and she also seems to be making quiet clucking noises...

 

[CharlotteRenee]

She is also very fluffed up in the nesting box...

 

[Ravynscroft]

Sounds like she is broody, not eggbound... she wants to hatch chicks, lol...

 

[CharlotteRenee]

Do they not lay when they are broody?

 

[Ravynscroft]

Nope, they stop laying to conserve energy since they eat and drink much less while sitting... if she hatches chicks, she won't start laying again until she 'weans' them... if you don't want her to try hatching any chicks, you can break her and she'll start laying again a few days later...

 

[CharlotteRenee]

Nope, they stop laying to conserve energy since they eat and drink much less while sitting... if she hatches chicks, she won't start laying again until she 'weans' them... if you don't want her to try hatching any chicks, you can break her and she'll start laying again a few days later...

How do you break them?

 

[Ravynscroft]

How do you break them?

There are several ways, I think if you put broody breaker in the search box you'll find more options.. but one way is to put them in a wire bottomed cage, elevated off the ground so air flows under their bottom with just food and water in it... some take a few days, some are much more stubborn...

 

[CharlotteRenee]

There are several ways, I think if you put broody breaker in the search box you'll find more options.. but one way is to put them in a wire bottomed cage, elevated off the ground so air flows under their bottom with just food and water in it... some take a few days, some are much more stubborn...

Ok, thanks! And sorry about that!

 

[Ravynscroft]

Ok, thanks! And sorry about that!

You're welcome... no need to be sorry...

 

[DinaSZ]

Fastest way to break her is to dip her in a cool bath to change her body temperature, she will immediately snap out of the broody state. Do not dip her head, you just need the breast and underside in the water, hold her there for a minute. Our girl rejoined the flock the same day and layed an egg 2 days later.