Hen aggression

[Athiena14]

So lately I have been seeing aggression in a couple of my laying hens when I go to get eggs out of nest boxes. I have been using the absence of each hen when they are out eating as a sign they are in the coop laying. I have had 2 of my hens anytime I go in to get the eggs start talking aggressively and a couple times biting. My other hens do not do this. I left the eggs under one to see if she sits on them through the night and parts of tomorrow. I haven't dealt with a hen incubating before so do not know the signs of them wanting to sit on them or if they just dont like me there when they are in the box.

 

[alexa009]

Its normal behavior for a hen to peck or nip at you when taking eggs from them, especially in a broody.

 

[Athiena14]

Its normal behavior for a hen to peck or nip at you when taking eggs from them, especially in a broody.

How will I know for sure if broody?

 

[Athiena14]

Normally they fly out of the box with I'm collecting

 

[sylviethecochin]

As hens mature, they begin to get a little more assertive about their nesting box space. It's quite possible that they just don't like being shifted. I have two that are holy terrors about having eggs taken. One (my second-oldest at six years old) tries to remove chunks from my hand, the other (hatched last March) puffs up and Squarks at me.

If you want broodies, leave fake eggs (I favor golf balls), and see if the hens remain on them. If you don't want broodies, keep taking the eggs and just hope they don't set. Wait-and-see is about the only way to tell.

 

[Athiena14]

As hens mature, they begin to get a little more assertive about their nesting box space. It's quite possible that they just don't like being shifted. I have two that are holy terrors about having eggs taken. One (my second-oldest at six years old) tries to remove chunks from my hand, the other (hatched last March) puffs up and Squarks at me.

If you want broodies, leave fake eggs (I favor golf balls), and see if the hens remain on them. If you don't want broodies, keep taking the eggs and just hope they don't set. Wait-and-see is about the only way to tell.

I would be worried about broodies this late in the season. Or at least when they hatch. I wouldnt mind them honestly. My incubator can only hold 8 eggs

 

[aart]

How old are your birds and how long have they been laying?

In order to get birds to let you take eggs out from under them it will take time and patience, some will never get used to it.
Start by just going into the coop when they are laying, talk softly, walk/move slowly, and be of calm demeanor.... don't touch them, just go in and out of coop frequently but with short durations.
Let them get fully used to your presence in coop before trying to touch them while on nest.

 

[Athiena14]

How old are your birds and how long have they been laying?

In order to get birds to let you take eggs out from under them it will take time and patience, some will never get used to it.
Start by just going into the coop when they are laying, talk softly, walk/move slowly, and be of calm demeanor.... don't touch them, just go in and out of coop frequently but with short durations.
Let them get fully used to your presence in coop before trying to touch them while on nest.

They are about 7 to 8 months old. Have been laying for a month that I know of. (2 were from a different farm and had been laying there.) I could understand them getting fussy over me going in while they are laying or just laid.

 

[aart]

I could understand them getting fussy over me going in while they are laying or just laid.

You just have to get them used to it...and that takes time and consistency.