How come my chicken won't get off the nest?! It's been a week!

[honda_DT]

One of my chickens won't get off the nest and it has been there for about a week now. I can't tell if it is laying eggs or not because the other chickens in the coop just jump into the same nest box as it and lay an egg then leave. Also i tried taking the chicken out of the coop and closing the door so it couldn't get back in but it just hung around just outside the door and stared at the coop. She will only leave the nest to eat and drink then goes right back. Also when I get close she makes this horrible screeching noise that I didn't even know was possible for a chicken to make.

At first when i realized that she wouldn't leave I just figured that she would eventually realise that her eggs wouldn't hatch and leave but I am starting to get concerned.

What does this mean? Is this called being broody? When will she stop? Is there anything I can do?

Any help is much appreciated, thanks.

 

[emvickrey]

She's broody. Most likely you won't be able to make her stay off the nest. She wants to hatch some eggs. You can let her keep some of the eggs or not but until she changes her mind she will be persistant about sitting.

 

[Stacykins]

She's just gettin' started

 

[honda_DT]

Thanks! So should I leave an egg in the coop with her until she realizes that it won't hatch or should I just keep going the way I have and taking the eggs until she quits?

 

[JayneMae]

you can always get some fertile eggs to put under her.

 

[emvickrey]

You can either take them or leave them. No matter. If you don't have a roo to make them fertile you may as well take them. She'll sit till she's ready to not sit anymore. What breed is she? My silkies, when they decide to sit there is no stopping them. It don't matter if I take the eggs or not. They will just sit on an empty nest.

 

[honda_DT]

^ I don't think that would be possible for me because that would mean I have to buy all sorts of special feed and equipment for hatching 1 chick.

 

[emvickrey]

Quote:
Thats a good idea especially if your looking to add to your flock. There are several swaps on here and the auctions where you can get about any breed you want.

 

[emvickrey]

Quote:
Nope, just chick starter. Momma does all the work.

 

[honda_DT]

Quote:
I've never been 100% about what breed they are but I have a hunch they are star's --> https://www.backyardchickens.com/breeds/star/20741