Is my hen Broody? or is it something else?

[ChickNanny13]

Yes, she is an EE, and she is the possible egg layer. The only reason I thought she might be the layer is because of her strange behavior. I've been told EE's can lay any color egg, including brown.... which is why I am unsure if its her (Ruth, pictured) or Rose . Rose, my lav orpington, is the only one I know for sure will lay a brown egg.

I have 2 blue favaucanas who are supposed to lay green eggs, and 2 EEs, and 1 lav orpington. I feel quite certain the egg layer is not my other EE, Blanche. She still seems too young and under developed to be laying. I was hoping my EE's lay a color other than brown, but I'd be happy with anything!

I've got 4 BOs, 3 lay light tan color eggs while 1 lays a darker shade (1st pic)... You are correct EEs can lay any color eggs. The 2nd pic is of the eggs my 2 EEs (greenish) & 2 Wyandottes (brown) laid.

 

[crazychickenlady81]

I've got 4 BOs, 3 lay light tan color eggs while 1 lays a darker shade (1st pic)... You are correct EEs can lay any color eggs. The 2nd pic is of the eggs my 2 EEs (greenish) & 2 Wyandottes (brown) laid.

Ooh what beautiful eggs you have! I can't wait till all my ladies start laying. Here is my first egg, and a picture of the gang from a couple days ago.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Oh I forgot you can check their pelvic bone to see who's laying
Let's see if I can get that pic loaded on here ... 2+ finger span = laying



Who is Laying.....and Who is Not? Butt Check!

By aart, Today at 4:18 AM | 23 Views | Learning Center
Rating:

1. I've typed this out many times in the past few days,
   so decided to put it in an article so I can link it in responses.
   
   Got pullets newly laying and not sure who is laying and who is not?
   Under the tail will tell the true tale, so part those fluffy feathers and take a look!
   Yeahyeah, might sound gross, butt(haha) it's good thing to learn how to do.
   Might not tell you who is laying what, gotta catch 'em in the 'hot egged' act for that,
   but if you start early and every time time you find a tiny new egg,
   do the butt check to see who the new layer is,
   and it might tell you who is laying what.
   
   Vent Appearance:
   Dry, tight, and smaller - usually not laying.
   Moist, wide, and larger - usually laying.
   
   Pelvic Points, feel for the 2 bony points(pelvic bones F-F) on either side of vent:
   Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
   More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.
   (Spacing is relative with chickens size and humans finger size.)
   
   
   
   
   
   Other new layers notes:
   New layers can be quite goofy acting, they don't know what they are doing at first and can be confused and anxious, it can take up to a month or so before they get it all figured out. Putting some fake eggs or golf balls in the nest might help show them where to lay. They may scratch around in the nests for weeks before laying, spreading the bedding everywhere. They will scratch around a bit less in nest as they get used to the routine. Meanwhile, eggs everywhere, some of them can be rather funky looking, soft or thin shelled, huge double yolked eggs.
   
   Signs of onset of lay---I've found the pelvic points(see above) to be the most accurate.
   
   Squatting:
   If you touch their back they will hunker down on the ground, then shake their tail feathers when they get back up.
   Tho not all birds will do this, especially if there's a cockbird in the flock.
   This shows they are sexually mature and egg laying is close at hand.
   
   Combs and Wattles:
   Plump, shiny red - usually means laying.
   Shriveled, dryish looking and pale - usually means not laying.
   Tho I have found that the combs and wattles can look full and red one minute then pale back out the next due to exertion or excitement, can drive ya nuts when waiting for a pullet to lay!

 

[crazychickenlady81]

So... I caught Rose, my lavender orpington in the act of laying!! So the egg layer mystery is solved! However, it doesn't quite explain why Ruth, my EE has been acting so strangely and not leaving the coop. Is it possible for a pullet to go broody before she's started laying eggs?

 

[ChickenOwner2313]

I have had a few hens go broody and one even hatched a few! Hens can get VERY feisty when broody, they will refuse to leave their eggs, and will bite you if you touch them! (I found this out the hard way) They will also screech and scream if you come near. (I found this out the hard way also) If these are the 'symptoms' of your hen, she might well be broody!