Hello from Australia I have a RIR and an Australorp - approximately 1 (and a bit) years old. They usually lay very well/regularly. They sleep in their coop at night, and are free range in our garden (which is a little "wild" in parts) every day from about 7am till dusk - weather permitting. The RIR went broody at the beginning of December (our summer) and stayed that way till mid January. She finished with a little molt. Our weather this summer has been very mild/cool, with A LOT of rain - especially of late. In the last 2-3 days, my Australorp (Gwen) has become extremely evasive. She has never been as approachable as the RIR (Gertrude actively likes a pat or cuddle), but she would still come and eat lettuce etc from your hands. In the last few days she has spent a lot of time mellowing out in various spots around the garden, and I can't lure her into their coop during the day, with any of her favourite treats. She does still wander around scratching up bugs etc. I used to be able to call her when I went into the yard, and she would come running from wherever she was, just to see what I had to eat. Now I literally have to search for her. She will go in to the coop on her own at dusk. She hasn't laid an egg for about 3 days. Do you think she is going to become broody ? Could she be egg bound, or is she just being a little moody ? I can't catch her to investigate the possibility of her being egg bound. Depending on what advice I receive here, I could possibly nab her on the way out of the coop in the morning. She certainly seems to be in good health otherwise. I can live with anything except if she is egg bound - I'd hate for her to be ill or in pain I don't want to whisk her to the vet if she's just being a little aloof. All advice much appreciated
Difficult to give advice from afar, but sounds as if she is just going through a phase. As long as she is eating and remaining active I would not be concerned.
Thanks I did wonder if she had a fright in the coop, with all the bad weather. She definitely seems fine, still wanders around with Gert, although today they are both "cooped up" - it's pouring with rain, and will be for the next 3 days !
