hen resting in nest box

[scmama3]

Hello,

My new BO hen is almost constantly in the nest box. She comes out to eat and drink and to let the laying hens lay their egg then hops back up. She is laying age but so far no eggs for us or her previous owner. He told us she would be ready in a few weeks. We have had her one week. Is this just her deciding its a nice quiet spot to rest or is it a behavior hens start when they are getting ready to lay?

Thanks,
Angela

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
Sounds like she's going "broody". That's what they do when they're preparing to hatch eggs. If you type in "broody" in the search box, you'll get more information than you ever thought possible on the subject!

Oh, and welcome to BYC!

 

[scmama3]

Can a hen that has never laid an egg actually go broody? My roo won't even mate her cuz I guess she is still too young. She is 5 1/2 mths old right now so probably about ready to lay.

Thanks again,
Angela

 

[gryeyes]

I think it's like teen-aged girls trying on their make-up, or practicing girly things. My BO did the same thing just before she started to lay. She wasn't broody, because as soon as she laid her first egg, she got out of the nest and went back into the run. And has continued to do so.

She would sleep in the nest box too, until I put up a second roost bar at the same height as the first one. There wasn't enough room for her to settle up there when there was only one. She's the "fluffliest" of the flock, and the nest box was a generous size.

If the chubby girl couldn't fit on the roost with everybody else, then she might as well take advantage of that nice box fairly close by to 'em all.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
This thread might help answer that question:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3121090