hen puffing up and staying inside

[lowry075]

Hi, I have two hens, and one was inside her nesting area this morning when I went in to feed them. When I came home from work, she was still in there, and when I went to pet her, she puffed up. She hadn't eaten the grapes I left with her breakfast, (my other hen is a lighter eater), and we removed her to check for injuires, and she went out into the yard with my other hen and clucked a bit, puffed up and ran around, and then she settled down.

She has never done this before, although she has been laying eggs since January. She normally acts "broody" only for a short time, and once her egg is layed, she's up and about. I don't know what to make of it.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Kirstin
mom of:

Buffy (Buff Orphington) and Emma ( Blue Laced Wyandotte)

 

[Sorin]

I had a hen that just went throughout the exact same thing. Shes beginning to go broody. She may not go all the way though. I have a Buff Orpington that has been doing this on and off for a month now! Shell stay in the nest box for a few hours, but not all day, walks around puffed up, "talks" a lot. She does this for a few days then stops for a few days. Mine has not gone completely broody though, I make sure that once she lays her egg I pull her out of the nest box and put her outside with the other girls, it seems to help because she usually doesn't go back in, just walks around puffed up like a Tom turkey!

 

[gryeyes]

That's early broody behavior, and as mentioned, may not "stick." I consider a hen truly broody when she has stayed in the nest for two consecutive nights instead of roosting.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
TWO??? Mine give up after 5-6 days. Soo frustrating!!!!

 

[lowry075]

Thanks for the quick replies. I appreciate it. What's sad is that Emma, my other hen, is laying on the floor outside at night. I guess Buffy doesn't want company. (Don't worry, it is not that cold at night where I live).