Has Baby Butt gone broody?

[Gloria]

I have a Buff Orp hen (Baby Butt) that likes to stay right up in a corner of the coop floor. She is doing very good at hiding behind a small piece of plywood I have leaned up against the wall.

She has been there for 3 days now and I have only seen her come outside one time in those 3 days. When I go inside the coop she sits in her little corner clucking away.

She doesn't have any eggs, that I can see anyway.

I'm thinking she is probably broody. What do you all think? Is this how a broody will act? Should I give her a few eggs?

She turned One year old in April and I've been waiting so patiently for her to go broody.

 

[AmyRey]

Since I'm pretty new to this chicken thing, there are a few particulars that I have yet to decipher. One of which is the term "broody" or the phrase "going broody".

Is this a good thing? Or a bad thing? What exactly does it mean?

 

[Gloria]

It's a good thing if you want some new babies. Which I do.

It just means that she is wanting to set on some eggs to hatch them out.

 

[momof247371]

if she is staying there and not coming off the nest, GIVE that girl some eggs! she will be disappointed in 21 days if no little ones make an appearance! good luck and keep us posted

 

[Judy]

Yup, I'd guess she is broody.

Here's an article on broody hens:

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

 

[AmyRey]

Ahhhh.... I see.

I had just about decided that a hen "going broody" was a bad thing, until you came along and were cheering.

Then I was totally confused all over again.

 

[momof247371]

well some do look at it as bad because when they "go broody" they stop laying eggs until they hatch and raise their babies. but if you want babies and arent concernd with egg production then its all Great!!

 

[Gloria]

Cool!!

That's what I was thinking, I've got another broody!

I just went out to check on her and she was up clucking around the coop. Then she laid a HUGE stinky poo right in front of me! Yuck!! Then she went back to her corner.

How rude! LOL

I found a bigger piece of plywood and leaned it against the back wall. I made sure there was plenty of straw in it and put 3 eggs in the back. Then I picked her up and stuck her in it.

I have my fingers crossed that it will work.

She was still in there when I left the coop.