hen reluctant to leave nest box

[puddleandnugget]

Hi, my pekin batum (Puddle) is very reluctant to leave her nest box. When i lift her from it she'll happily eat and drink and do all the usual chicken stuff for about 30mins than wants to go back in. I have two perkin bamtums (nugget and puddle)and have had them for ten months, they have always free ranged. I worm them every 3 months put ACV in water one week a month and vermx 3 days a month (as per instructions). She had a few health problems when i got her (crop issues and scaley foot mite) which i treated. She started laying in march and was laying most days until Nugget was attacked in May, by a cat. Since then i have had to leave them in the run while i am out (it's 4ft high and measures 6ft x 8ft, so it's an ok size for two little onez). I've checked her for all health issues, can't find anything wrong with her. Not really bothered about no eggs, although they would be nice, i just want her to be happy and she doesn't appear to be. Nugget hasn't laid since the attack, but she is ok in herself now. Please help. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Your Puddle is showing classic signs of having gone broody - meaning that she is in a hormonal state of mind making her want to sit on the nest and hatch eggs (even if there are no eggs under her and even if there are no roosters to mate her).

 

[puddleandnugget]

Thanks for your reply, i had my suspicions. However, was not sure if the cat attack on her buddy and the inability to free range all day had caused this. Do you also think this is why Nugget has stopped laying - broodiness? Have you any suggestion as to how to break the cycle? Thanks again for your reply

 

[puddleandnugget]

Sorry to clarify do u think Nugget has stopped laying because Puddle has? She's ok and out and about (although not as much as usual) thanks