goofy hen won't get up and leave the box!

[gwen-n-myk]

I have 4 girls, one of 'em has taken to spending ALL her time in the coop sitting in a laying box. I kick her out and take the eggs, but I don't know if they are her eggs or someone elses! She goes right back after I kick her out and check under her.
if she's broody, how do I get her to stop? She IS laying occasionally; we do get 4 eggs every other day or so (3 on the 'off' days).

 

[hxgumdrop]

Does she do a kind of growl at you when you move her out and puff up all her feathers? if so then I would say she is broody. You can either give her fake eggs to sit on and when they dont hatch she might give up on the idea or you can pop her int a wire bottom box with food and water this causes it to be cold underneath her so it stops her feeling warm and cosy and broody

 

[iwiw60]

If you really want to break your broody here is some great information for you:

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/search?q=broody+breaker

 

[memphis]

Had two go broody this summer. Tried everything & couldn't break either. Spent all summer pulling them out a few times a day so they would eat & drink. The other hens were hopping in the box with them for a quick chat while laying them an egg. I've been referring to them as the enablers!

 

[hxgumdrop]

Haha! Mine are exactly the same! I have one that stops being broody for a couple weeks then she's back to it, shes just too much of a mother hen bless her

 

[hulk247]

Love my RIR. She is 4 yrs old, and I've only had her for about 2 months. I am new to all of this so I started feeding her scratch grains in the beginning instead of layer feed. She laid for 4 days straight them started dropping off steadily. I finally switched back to the layer feed and after about 7 days of worrying without an egg she finally laid. Now that I finally have her story and calcium in check, she had laid for seven straight days now. I couldn't be more ecstatic. I have 5 other outlets that are on the verge of laying as well so I am getting very anxious . Love this site, and the people on here. Thanks everyone for all of your help.

 

[gwen-n-myk]

thank you! yeah, that's her... and that website was great, thanks! now I have to find a 'broody breaker' of some type lol.

 

[iwiw60]

The best thing to use as a broody breaker is a dog crate. Just make sure to remove the bottom "tray" so she is uncomfortable...helps keep her from wanting to sit.

 

[hxgumdrop]

I got my dad to make me one out of bits of scrap wood and chicken wire. they dont need to be expensive :-D

 

[karenfla]

my friend had the same problem. Until i took her Monday w/ 2 eggs from another.Since i"ve had her home, she doesn't look like she moved at all????
She has her water and scratch feed & some maters or watermelon. I pet her when i get home from work and check on her, she raises her butt like a cat and clucks a lil.
just want to know is this healthy.
thank you for any help.