Is my barred rock trying to hatch an egg?

[Ferosia]

All of the sudden one of my barred rocks has decided to stay in her nesting box all day long. She has done it for about a week now and her feathers on her front and her tail are half gone. She comes out to eat just a little bit and then goes back in. When she does come down she seems very defensive and cackles at the others and fluffs her feathers up.

Is she trying to hatch her eggs, or is she just psychotic? What can I do?

 

[threehorses]

If she's sitting on eggs: yes.

P.s. Hatch day is around 21 days. Buy some amprolium medicated chick starter crumbles, a brooder cage, and get ready.

 

[Ferosia]

Yes, she sits on the eggs, but stays there even after I take them.

 

[threehorses]

Broody hens will do that. If you don't want her to hatch the egg, you have to break her of the broodiness. (VERY recommended as broodies don't eat well.)

You will put her in a cage by herself, wire floor, preferably up over a couple of saw-horses. Basically you want her to cool her tushy!! Give her food and water of course, keep her nice and cool in the summer. She'lll get over it and you can return her to her flock after a few days.