First time broody?

[IvyBeans]

So, my 11 month old lavender Orpington was concerning me because she was laying soft shelled eggs. I then haven’t gotten another egg from her in over a week.

She goes in the nesting box, but doesn’t seem to stay there longer than her sisters. I tried to move her yesterday and she screeched at me and then pecked, and it occurred to me she might be broody? She does seem like she’s also fluffing up her feathers a bit. There were several eggs under her, none hers.

I thought broody hens refused to leave the nesting box? It was only once she refused to get out, and once we picked her up and got her out, she walked around with the rest of the flock and happily ate treats.

No laying, but she’s not as friendly as normal. Bright red comb, so I think she’s healthy. She seems lighter, but happily eats if I bring her food.

Does this sound like a broody hen? Or do I need to worry about a laying issue?

 

[sourland]

Sounds as if she may be pre broody. I'd keep an eye on her.

 

[peep peep peeper]

Maybe she’s starting to molt.

 

[Jewelmb]

So, my 11 month old lavender Orpington was concerning me because she was laying soft shelled eggs. I then haven’t gotten another egg from her in over a week.

She goes in the nesting box, but doesn’t seem to stay there longer than her sisters. I tried to move her yesterday and she screeched at me and then pecked, and it occurred to me she might be broody? She does seem like she’s also fluffing up her feathers a bit. There were several eggs under her, none hers.

I thought broody hens refused to leave the nesting box? It was only once she refused to get out, and once we picked her up and got her out, she walked around with the rest of the flock and happily ate treats.

No laying, but she’s not as friendly as normal. Bright red comb, so I think she’s healthy. She seems lighter, but happily eats if I bring her food.

Does this sound like a broody hen? Or do I need to worry about a laying issue?

This sounds a lot like what my girl is going through right now. She has stopped laying, seems healthy, seems OK when I pick her up and remove her from the nesting box, and when I put her out with the other hens will eat a bit and drink, and even hang out for a little bit, and then back to the box she goes. This has been going on for about a week. I am thinking of separating her from the others for a few days.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I am thinking of separating her from the others for a few days.

Separating as in crating her up is fine, separating as in taking her away from the flock (out of view) is not recommended. A bird removed from the flock for a few days may require reintegration as the others will treat it as a newcomer.

 

[IvyBeans]

She got kicked out of being broody just by tossing her out of the nest box a few times a day, but then my red Orpington went broody and it took 5 days to break her. Finally had to lock her out of the coop on a cold, rainy day. She had shelter and she’s very big and feathered. She could still see her flock, but wasn’t interested in being with them anyway and the head hen kept pecking her because she kept taking over the best nest box and generally being annoying

Glad it’s over! I didn’t realize going broody was as big of an issue as it was. I love my orpingtons, but I’m glad I only have 3!

Lavender is laying again. She only lays every other day anyway. Haven’t seen any new eggs from red Orpington, but she’s only stopped being broody for a day.

 

[AuntChickie]

This sounds a lot like what my girl is going through right now. She has stopped laying, seems healthy, seems OK when I pick her up and remove her from the nesting box, and when I put her out with the other hens will eat a bit and drink, and even hang out for a little bit, and then back to the box she goes. This has been going on for about a week. I am thinking of separating her from the others for a few days.

That’s what mine is doing too! She reluctantly lets me take her out and put her in the yard and she will eat/drink but wants to go back to the laying area