hen, nesting all the time, not laying any eggs

[donnammarinelli]

I have a hen, she was my best producer. She laid a small egg, then a rubber egg, now nothing. She will not get out of her nesting box, she doesnt even roost at night, she just stays in her nesting box. Any ideas, or suggestions?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

She is probably broody.

 

[donnammarinelli]

What do i do for her?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Well, do you want chicks right now or do you want to try and break her broody cycle?

 

[Fancychooklady]

It could be a simple case of bloodiness, but being that she started laying irregular , it may also be egg bound. I would get her out and give her a good looking over. Is she eating , drinking and pooping?

 

[donnammarinelli]

I dont think she is doing anything

 

[ChickCrazed]

If you put an egg in front of her will she pull it under her? If yes she is broody and you either need to "break" her of being broody (do a search here on BYC for how to do this) or get her some fertile eggs to hatch. Broody hens don't eat/drink like they should and can survive that way long enough to hatch eggs, but can starve themselves if you don't give them fertile eggs to hatch because they keep waiting for the eggs to hatch.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Here are some links that can help. Like Chick Crazed said, if she pulls eggs under her or reacts defensibly when you disturb her, she is probably broody. Otherwise, she could be egg bound, which needs to be dealt with asap.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/encouraging-or-discouraging-broodiness-in-your-hens
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/guide-to-letting-broody-hens-hatch-and-raise-chicks
http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2012/06/egg-bound-hens-how-to-recognize-treat.html
http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2012/01/so-youve-got-broody-hen.html

 

[donnammarinelli]

I dont have fertile eggs, no rooster. I gave her the cold bath, then put her in a cage up off the floor, with food and water. I hope this helps her.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I dont have fertile eggs, no rooster. I gave her the cold bath, then put her in a cage up off the floor, with food and water. I hope this helps her.

I would not be giving a cold bath. Is your hen pooping? Examine her abdomen for any hard areas and check the vent area . If she is just broody my advice is to put feed and water nearby and let her be.