Is my hen broody or sick?

[smurray]

Hi all- my 1yr old brahma hen is spending all of her time in the egg box. For the last couple days I thought she was going broody, so I would kick her out of the box and make her walk around outside. She was upset about being evicted, but once outside walked around and pecked up scratch just fine. Today was the same, except it's getting harder and harder to get her out- she just scoots and settles down again right away. When I finally got her out of the coop, she walked around and ate scratch, but kept her feathers fluffed the entire time, which I haven't seen before. She also looks a bit wobbly, and would put out one wing and then the other- maybe for balance. Her crop seems squishy enough and I couldnt see or feel anything stuck in her vent/abdomen. Any clues to what this could be and what I should do?

 

[kellysmall87]

Sounds like a broody hen to me, i have the same. I have to lift mine off the nest and shut the coop off completely lol. She ruffles her feathers, sticks her wings out, grumbles to herself... very gurmpy!

 

[jmtcmkb]

I had a broody one last week, acting the same way. Took about 3 days, on the 3rd day I got her out and totally closed off access to nest box ( thankfully all the other girls had layed for the day) this snapped her out of it. She was outside from about noon till dusk and that seemed to do it.

 

[smurray]

Thanks guys- I will keep evicting her and shut her out of the coop. I was going to out of tow fOr the weekend, but maybe that's not such a good idea anymore? Will she be permanently ruined if I don't take care of this right away?