Is my chicken broody or just a drama queen?

[GoatGirl123]

Check to see if she is egg bound

 

[GoatGirl123]

If not then just wait and see if she stays on the nest

 

[MysteryChicken]

My leghorn (Donut) has been on her nest all morning. She has been known to take her time, but not to this extent. She hasn't come out since I opened it up about 5 hours ago.

I've been told broodiness is a bit of a rarity in leghorns, and she's also quite young as well. She's only been laying for a few weeks.

What say you, knowledgeable BYC peeps? Is she just a drama queen or is she wanting to be a mommy?

She's a bit cranky

Looks broody.

 

[Nnyuu]

Probably not. Sometimes they just take extra time - I wouldn’t worry unless you notice straining to poop, walking like a penguin or lethargy. Taking a long time to lay or not laying at all doesn’t always indicate egg binding. Leghorns are bred to lay tons of eggs (BIG ones) and I personally believe it takes a on their little bodies. Also check the vent - make sure it looks ok.

They are such skinny chickens compared to my others, I'm always amazed at the size of their eggs. I will check her vent once I can get her out of there without losing a finger

 

[Nnyuu]

Looks broody.

Her yelling at me is what made me really question it, usually she doesn't care or mind me checking in for eggs even if she is still there. I haven't had a broody chicken before though, so I have nothing to go off of

 

[Nnyuu]

Here's a test. Take her off the nesting box, & listen to her cluck pattern, if she sounds like a ticking time bomb, then she's broody. Also if she goes back to the next will also give you your answer.

Will do!

 

[Nnyuu]

The drama might have been all yours
Some birds like to lounge before/after laying.

I think I kind of panicked because we cannot do chicks right now at all I'm glad she was just lounging, that's for sure!

 

[aart]

I think I kind of panicked because we cannot do chicks right now at all I'm glad she was just lounging, that's for sure!

Even after 7 years, if I see a bird too long in the nest I get kind of anxious.
Have to tell myself, "wait until dark before assuming".

 

[Nnyuu]

She might be going broody, and the lazing around the nest boxes was the lead up to it.

She slept in the nesting box last night. She did come out when I opened the coop this morning and drank water like crazy, ate a little bit, and then went back in. I think I may officially have a broody leghorn.

 

[Phaedra Geiermann]

They are such skinny chickens compared to my others, I'm always amazed at the size of their eggs. I will check her vent once I can get her out of there without losing a finger

fully agree! One of my leghorn used to lay double-yolk eggs, ooh, they are so skinny and I always feel empathy when she sings her egg song after that