hen has not moved from her nesting box in 24hours

[nd2b]

I have a Barred Rocks hen that is 1 year old who hasn't moved from her nesting box. This is the first time I have had a chicken appear ill, so I am not sure what I should and shouldn't do. Any advice? I tried to pet her and she fluffed up her feathers and seemed to try to make some sounds at me, but no sounds came out of her, just her moving her beak a bit. She seems very mellow . . . I wonder if she is brooding?? I don't have a rooster, but I have heard that they may do this in the spring anyway.

 

[chilling in muscadine]

Your girl is broody. Put some fertilized eggs under her if you want more birds. Good luck!

 

[FarmerDenise]

They don't need a rooster to go broody. You got yourself a broody hen. As chilling in muscadine stated, you can put some fertile eggs under her to hatch, if you want more chickies. You could get fertile eggs at a farmers market.
It's fun.

 

[nd2b]

If I get the eggs, will she protect the chicks from the other hens or will I have to seperate her and the chicks from the rest of the chickens?

 

[chilling in muscadine]

Quote:
Ever tried to take a mama hens chicks

Yes she will protect them.

I do also monitor just in case there is a problem. Good luck and yes its fun. I love watching my baby chicks.

 

[FarmerDenise]

She'll protect them. But I like to keep the broody hen in a pet carrier to keep her safe. I lost an egg she was sitting on, because while she was off going to the bathroom and taking a bath, something got into the nest and ate an egg. Rats like to carry off the young chicks also. So I usually keep the mom and chicks in a seperate cage for about a week. I make sure everyone gets to see each other and when I'm ready I let momma and chicks join the group.
I have left the momma and chicks with the flock in the past also. My biggest problem was rats, not the other hens. I've had roosters and other hens help take care of the babies. It's an individual thing.