- Apr 27, 2012
- 12
- 0
- 22
Hi there..... Im new to the world of raising chickens and need some advise. I have three hens (2 RIR, 1 black australorp) and a RIR Rooster, all one years old.
I got my hens about 1.5 months ago and my rooster about 2 weeks ago as my flock gaurdian. After the stress of adding the rooster my RIR are laying as normal, however my black australorp is starting to display broody behavior, I think..... I've started to notice as of a week ago my australorp has become "puffy" around her body and seems more mellow and kinda hazy in her demeaner, she is eating/drinking just fine and is still roosting on the bar in the hen house that I have for them. My flock free range from sunrise to sunset, and my RIR will still religiously lay in the hen boxes in the hen house, however my australorp has stopped laying in the boxes and as of yesterday I notices she is bare of feathers on her underside (belly), I'm sure she is broody but my questions are:
1.) could there be a mystery nest on my propery? I feel like I've looked everywhere for a nest but can't seem to find one.... could she just stopped laying instead?
2.) she's not spending time sitting on the eggs my other hens have laid, i watch her on the property and she doesn't seem to "disapear" for any length of time..... so i know shes not trying to incubate yet, i quess?!
3.) will hens dig and hide there eggs?
For right now.... these are my thoughts and concerns.... PLEASE any advise is welcome...
I got my hens about 1.5 months ago and my rooster about 2 weeks ago as my flock gaurdian. After the stress of adding the rooster my RIR are laying as normal, however my black australorp is starting to display broody behavior, I think..... I've started to notice as of a week ago my australorp has become "puffy" around her body and seems more mellow and kinda hazy in her demeaner, she is eating/drinking just fine and is still roosting on the bar in the hen house that I have for them. My flock free range from sunrise to sunset, and my RIR will still religiously lay in the hen boxes in the hen house, however my australorp has stopped laying in the boxes and as of yesterday I notices she is bare of feathers on her underside (belly), I'm sure she is broody but my questions are:
1.) could there be a mystery nest on my propery? I feel like I've looked everywhere for a nest but can't seem to find one.... could she just stopped laying instead?
2.) she's not spending time sitting on the eggs my other hens have laid, i watch her on the property and she doesn't seem to "disapear" for any length of time..... so i know shes not trying to incubate yet, i quess?!
3.) will hens dig and hide there eggs?
For right now.... these are my thoughts and concerns.... PLEASE any advise is welcome...
Many times a hen might act Broody for a couple hours then will just jump up and leave .. A Real Broody hen will stay put.. Even if Roosters are bothering her etc. She wont want to leave those eggs. Hens will indeed try to hide Eggs if they are Free range sometimes you have to find a hiding spot .. not buried like a dog bury a bone but where they made a little nest some where. Most will still use the boxes in a coop but some get sneaky .
