How do you tell if a hen is broody?

[Jessie_Jazz]

This may be a silly question but one of my girls has been in the nest box all day as far as I know. I left this morning and she was there, then got home just now and she was still in there. I picker her up n checked she wasn't ill; and there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with her. There was an egg in there that my young pullet laid but she was sitting next to it, not on it.

I don't mind if she is broody, I'm just worried she might be ill.....

 

[Happy Chooks]

Did she stay on the nest at night instead of roosting? Does she come out for treats? Does she puff up and screech at you? If yes to these, she's broody.

 

[Jessie_Jazz]

She didn't come out this morning for food, or this afternoon for treats. She didn't seem angry at me for disturbing her. Don't know about the roosting, will check tonight.

I hope she is broody and not ill. She is an ex-bat. How nice would it be for her to have some babies to hatch. I was gonna buy some new chickens, would be awesome if she could hatch them out for me instead.

Shall I try putting golf balls under her?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Is she still laying? Broodies don't lay either. She could be considering it, but not fully there yet.