Is My Chicken Sick ?

[matts]

Hello,
One of my 10 month old Buff Herrington egg layer chickens has stopped eating or drinking (for 3 days now), and is just sitting in her nest. She had been walking around with ruffled feathers and appears to be breathing faster. She has no sign of any discharge in her eyes, nose or mouth that I`ve heard is a sign of sickness. I quarantined her from the others and have placed water and food directly in front of her nest, but she still hasn`moved. I would appreciate any suggestions,
Thanks,
Matt

 

[chicmom]

Sounds like she's broody (meaning she wants to hatch eggs). This is a hormonal thing with hens.......They will be obsessed with sitting on the nest, and they'll get up once or twice a day, running around fluffed up, eat and drink and poo, and then get right back on the nest.......Sometimes they pull out their belly feathers and I think it's so their skin can be in direct contact with the eggs, and also to line the nest......

 

[Lacrystol]

Yep, sounds like someone wants to have some babies...

 

[schellie69]

Yep sounds like a broody get some eggs under that hen.