Hen wont sit...

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

I have a RIR hen, she has laid 12 eggs so far. But not sitting. She doesn't even show signs of wanting to sit. What should I do? Wait? Give up on her? What's her deal?

 

[goldnchocolate]

All hens will lay an egg but not necessarily go broody. Is she your only chicken and do you have a rooster?

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

Na I have 15 all together. But she's the only one laying right now. And that's cause she's the only one of age to lay. I have 3 roosters that are strolling around with her. (Amazingly enough Ive only seen one of them mating her. I think the others are afraid to get the snot beat out of them if they try.)

 

[Ariel301]

Rhode Island Reds are not known for being broody. Most high producing types of chicken don't go broody at all, they have been selectively bred so that they won't--that is why they are high producers, because they do not take time off to brood. You can't make her broody, leaving the eggs in there won't do anything. If she's going to go broody, she will do so with or without anything to sit on. But it is most likely this hen will not be broody ever. If you want a broody, look into a silky or some of the bantam breeds, they are more likely to sit, but again, they do it on their own timing.

 

[mstricer]

I have two that you can borrow that are getting made at me for taking their eggs and making them get off their nest.

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

I have silkies lol. But they aren't old enough yet. Well the girls aren't old enough. My roo is but yeah roos don't sit on eggs. So I'm out of luck there. I guess I will just stick them in the fridge for now. When my incubator isn't full I will collect some more then. I'm sure she will keep laying for a while. She doesn't seem to be letting up and she's a nice fat healthy bird.