Hello! I'm from Georgia and somewhat new to chicken raising.

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HmeFthr

In the Brooder
Jul 5, 2023
5
63
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I have a question about my 5 mo old Olive Egger. She has begun brooding about a week ago and hasn't even laid her first egg. She stays in the coop all day besides from coming out in the am to eat and drink. She lays at the door of the coop which sometimes threatens the other chickens from going in. She hisses and raises her feathers. I've tried getting her out of the coop a few times to go eat during the day. I'm worried about her. It's 95 + degrees here. Does that have anything to do with it? I've also noticed my other chickens that are at laying age have stopped laying. I'm sure that's do to the heat. I'm just wondering how long does a hen brood before laying her first egg? Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
 
Welcome to BYC!
Most pullets don't go broody before laying their first egg. Since she isn't going to be hatching anything, I would break her of her broodiness. Lots of methods you can use to do this, but I personally have the best luck with "broody jail".
And I think you are correct, the heat is causing your other girls to slow down in laying. I know mine do when the summer heat peaks in July.
 
Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.

You should break her in an open air predator proof run using a wire dog crate with a piece of wood in it for her to roost on. Keep food and water in the crate with her. I would also dunk her in cool water and put a fan on her to help cool her body and help break her broodiness. I've had to resort to that technique and dunk my hens 3 to 4 times a day when it's really warm.
 
SilverBirds said:
Welcome to BYC!
Most pullets don't go broody before laying their first egg. Since she isn't going to be hatching anything, I would break her of her broodiness. Lots of methods you can use to do this, but I personally have the best luck with "broody jail".
And I think you are correct, the heat is causing your other girls to slow down in laying. I know mine do when the summer heat peaks in July.
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Ty. I have an automatic door that leads into the coop from the runner and I’m wondering if I just need to keep it shut throughout the day so she won’t go in there but that leaves the rest out (like I said not that they are laying). The coop and the run is in the shade all day.
 
DobieLover said:
Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.

You should break her in an open air predator proof run using a wire dog crate with a piece of wood in it for her to roost on. Keep food and water in the crate with her. I would also dunk her in cool water and put a fan on her to help cool her body and help break her broodiness. I've had to resort to that technique and dunk my hens 3 to 4 times a day when it's really warm.
Click to expand...
ty for your advise - I've definitely been reading about cooling her down. This is definitely a good thought.
 
HmeFthr said:
Ty. I have an automatic door that leads into the coop from the runner and I’m wondering if I just need to keep it shut throughout the day so she won’t go in there but that leaves the rest out (like I said not that they are laying). The coop and the run is in the shade all day.
Click to expand...
I'd leave the coop open incase they do start laying again or if they just want to be in there.
 

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