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Help - hen staying in nest box

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by songbird, Nov 6, 2009.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Nov 6, 2009 #1
    songbird

    songbird Out Of The Brooder

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    Feb 16, 2009
    New England
    Hope you all can help me. I have a silkie, about 7 months old, that suddenly won't leave the nest boxes. She has moved from one nest box to another, but won't come out of the hen house (they free-range). Last night I brought her inside, thinking she will get too cold at night if she is unable to huddle with the other hens. This morning, in my basement, she is eating like a little piggy. Is this what a broody hen is??? It is true that each time I find her in a nest box, she is sitting on 3-4 eggs that are not hers. Her physical exam is normal, no neuro signs, poop is normal, etc. She is a little skinny though. The other thing that might be a factor is that we gave away our 2 roosters about 3 weeks ago.
    Thanks for your help!
     
  3. Nov 6, 2009 #2
    obchix

    obchix Out Of The Brooder

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    Mar 4, 2009
    San Diego, CA
    Sounds broody to me. One of our BR went broody at 6 months old! I think all have done it at least once now and they are only just a year old! They get sent to "time out" and go back to laying in about 10 days... good luck!
     
  5. Nov 6, 2009 #3
    Sunny Side Up

    Sunny Side Up Count your many blessings...

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    Mar 12, 2008
    Loxahatchee, Florida
    It's good that you checked her for other signs of ailment anyway. But this sounds like classic broody behavior, for which silkies are famous. There's a lot of info already here about special care & housing for broodies if you decide she should incubate some eggs for you, and also info about how to break a broody's spell. But don't hesitate to ask for more info here if you still need help, that's what we're here for.
     

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