Hen lethargic for 2 weeks now!

[Caroleanne]

This is a very healthy looking 1 year old hen that up until 2 weeks ago laid an egg a day. 2 weeks ago, she started staying in her nesting box and not laying eggs. She yells when we go near her but we picked her up, injected oil in her vent and gave her a warm bath in case she was bound. A few days later I went in with a greased finger to see if I could feel an egg - I didn't but as soon as we put her back down, she defecated a big pile. She seems to be eating and drinking. Her breathing is good, eyes clear, comb and wattles unchanged. The only thing that has changed is her remaining in her box and not producing eggs. Two weeks would be way too long to be egg bound and still be alive and strong, I think. What else could be wrong??? Thanks for any help!

Also, her vent is constantly puckering.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. She is probably broody or wants to hatch some eggs. The typical behavior is to remain in the nest box in a trance-like state, coming out briefy a couple of times a day to eat, drink, and have a big smelly broody poo. Try putting an egg or golf ball near her, and she will probably pull it under her. They usually growl at you when you come near, and sometimes will peck you if you reach under them.

 

[Eggcessive]

If you think she is broody, but don't want to hatch eggs, you can place her in a cage without bedding (I like to provide them a roost) for 5 days. The cool air on the bottom helps to break them. Also to confirm she is broody, you may find missing feathers on her belly where she has pulled them out. They don't lay eggs when broody, but will resume 2-3 weeks after breaking. If you want her to hatch some eggs, just collect some, place them under her on the same day (and please date them so new eggs don't get mixed with old.)

 

[Caroleanne]

Thanks for your reply! However, she used to lay regularly. Now she hasn't produced an egg in 2 weeks. She doesn't even go to her regular sleep spot anymore. Just stays in her nesting box.

 

[Eggcessive]

Yep, she's broody.

 

[Caroleanne]

Really?? Even if there are no eggs under her? Does she think she IS incubating eggs? Thanks so much for your replies!

 

[Eggcessive]

They will sit whether there are eggs or not. If they see a couple of eggs, they may move to another box. The longer they are broody, the more they growl and peck at you. Many would love to have a broody hen, but sometimes when everyone goes broody, you need to break them. They do lose weight during a broody period, so I like to put a little dish of scrambled eggs in front of them to eat each day.

 

[Caroleanne]

Thank you sooo much! "Girlfriend" (the hen) thanks you too! I wish we hadn't tried all those "cures" now!

 

[Eggcessive]

You're welcome. If you decide that broodiness is not her problem, then just keep this thread going.