HELP Odd Possibly Broody Chicken

[Silkiechickens10]

I got my first flock of chickens last may, so they are all laying and almost a year old. I have eleven hens and one rooster, that we decided to keep. A few days ago I noticed Stormy (my gray cochin hen) sitting in a nesting box as I was closing their coop for the night. I found this odd because it is very rare for me to get an egg later than 1pm, let alone 5pm. I went over and was able to pet her with no threatening behavior, and went inside. The next morning she was in the same spot. I didnt pick her out, but I did my best to feel for eggs and I couldbt feel any. It's been two or three days now, and she still has been in the same nesting box. I tried to give her some food and she didnt seem interested. I realise a lot of this seems like a broody chicken, especially since spring is starting, and I have never experienced a broody hen. But I wanted to get a second opinion because she is not agressive whatsoever. I was doing some research and just a little bit ago I went out there and picked her up, she seemed fine. She took a drink of water, and then a huge poop, wich I assumed was from the lack of movement. I did notice there was one egg in there, the very back of the nest. Then she ate some grain, and I left because her poop was so smelly! I expect to see her back there in the morning. The nest doesnt have any feathers shes plucked. I think that is all the information I have, if anyone has an opinion I'd love to hear it. I'm worried she might be sick, but hopefully just broody. Thank you!

 

[Broodygranny]

Sounds broody to me! She won't peck you unless she feels threatened. Some of my very friendly ones don't always peck if they are broody. Most of mine will though. I have a few skittish ones.

 

[Mimi13]

Yes, I believe you’ve got a broody bird. A broody’s aggressiveness usually is toward the other chickens more so than the caretaker.

And yes again on the smell of broody poop. There is nothing else like it. It is so large and so smelly because it has been held inside her for so long.

She is not sick. She just wants to be a momma.

 

[Silkiechickens10]

Sounds broody to me! She won't peck you unless she feels threatened. Some of my very friendly ones don't always peck if they are broody. Most of mine will though. I have a few skittish ones.

Thank you! I was a little concerned, because this is my first broody hen and shes only on one egg!

 

[Mimi13]

Thank you! I was a little concerned, because this is my first broody hen and shes only on one egg!

Sometimes the urge is so great that they’ll sit on nothing.

 

[Silkiechickens10]

Yes, I believe you’ve got a broody bird. A broody’s aggressiveness usually is toward the other chickens more so than the caretaker.

And yes again on the smell of broody poop. There is nothing else like it. It is so large and so smelly because it has been held inside her for so long.

She is not sick. She just wants to be a momma.

Thank you! This morning I gave her a warm egg from one of the other boxes, and she pushed it under her! I think I might let her hatch us some chicks!

 

[Mimi13]

Thank you! This morning I gave her a warm egg from one of the other boxes, and she pushed it under her! I think I might let her hatch us some chicks!

It will be a huge learning experience and a lot of fun watching Mother Nature.