Is my Hen Broody

[Kentuckyrain]

Hi all, still new to the chicken thing.

So I have a Silkie that has not laid in 5 weeks, then laid 1 egg 2 days ago and 1 today.

I have 3 other different breed laying hens that are a bit over 2 years old. They used to lay every day but the last couple of weeks I have only been getting 0-2 eggs a day from them. I figured they might be slowing because of their age and with fall coming soon here in norther MI.

So something odd happened today. The Silkie laid her egg in her nest box that only she sleeps in, but sometimes the rooster sleeps with her in her next box. The other 3 hens ALWAYS have been laying in the middle nest box when they do lay. So today, I go out to check for eggs and I had 4 eggs today, so not only did they ALL lay an egg, but, they all laid their egg in 1 box and it was in the Silkies egg box which the other hens have never laid in. Also, 1 of the eggs has lots of white speckly looking spots like it was laid too soon or something?

So I guess my question is,,, since the Silkie laid her egg and the other 3 hens all actually laid an egg today and laid them in her box,, does this mean something? Like does it mean maybe the chickens, 1 or any of them might be wanting to sit on them? Are they maybe trying to accumulate eggs for the Silkie to sit on? Or am I reading too much into this and I should just go collect my eggs?


Sorry for the dumb question,, was just wondering if their behavior is just normal and if it means anything or not.

 

[QueenMisha]

No, they've just assumed that box is the best one. It's pretty common for all hens to lay in the same box. A broody hen, meanwhile, will cease laying, sit in the box 24/7 except occasional trips to get feed/water, and pluck their breast feathers out.

 

[Kentuckyrain]

No, they've just assumed that box is the best one. It's pretty common for all hens to lay in the same box. A broody hen, meanwhile, will cease laying, sit in the box 24/7 except occasional trips to get feed/water, and pluck their breast feathers out.

Oh, so a broody will just stay in the nest and pluck her feathers out,, ouch. Ok, well glad to hear that none are broody. Thank you for your response as well

 

[Teila]

Howdy Kentuckyrain

If you do not want a broody and subsequent chicks, I would definitely collect the eggs ASAP. Some chickens, especially Silkies, will go broody at the slightest opportunity and an egg waiting to be sat on is too tempting to resist

If your Silkie is thinking of brooding she may have moved the eggs to her nest box … I have seen broody’s collect eggs from other nest boxes into the one she has decided to brood in, including tucking them under her wing or rolling them with her beak.

 

[Kentuckyrain]

Howdy Kentuckyrain

If you do not want a broody and subsequent chicks, I would definitely collect the eggs ASAP. Some chickens, especially Silkies, will go broody at the slightest opportunity and an egg waiting to be sat on is too tempting to resist

If your Silkie is thinking of brooding she may have moved the eggs to her nest box … I have seen broody’s collect eggs from other nest boxes into the one she has decided to brood in, including tucking them under her wing or rolling them with her beak.

OMG that is so cute, to have and see one move the other hens eggs into her nest.

My White Silkie is the dominant one. I have 1 rooster and he is a White Silkie, I can't figure out whom is the pack leader but I will say, I have seen the Silkie hen stop eating and run far in the coop to stop the rooster from fornicating with another hen, lmmfao that was cute,,, I think she was jealous or ******.

I have my chicken tractor set up to where there is no way for any hen to actually move an egg from one nest to another.

 

[QueenMisha]

I have seen the Silkie hen stop eating and run far in the coop to stop the rooster from fornicating with another hen, lmmfao that was cute,,, I think she was jealous or ******. 

That is... incredibly unusual. Are you completely sure you have two hens? I've never seen my hens display this behavior but it's very common in roosters.

 

[Weehopper]

I have a hen who makes broody hen clucking sounds so she won't have to breed the rooster. Smart girl.

 

[Kentuckyrain]

That is... incredibly unusual. Are you completely sure you have two hens? I've never seen my hens display this behavior but it's very common in roosters.

Yes, she is a hen and lays eggs, and I only have 1 rooster and 3 other adult laying hens that lay eggs often. My Silkie hen is the dominant one in the flock. Today, she not only pecked the other 3 hens when I gave them food, but she also pecked the rooster as well. She is the last one to go in the coop at night, and the last one to come out in the morning. She is definitely a hen and lays eggs,,, but she is very dominate,, I could not believe that I saw her pecking the rooster to leave the food area earlier,,, I have 3 mixed breed over 2 year old laying hens and then my Silkie girl, Precious Princess, and then my Silkie Rooster, Sparky cuz he barks like a dog sometimes), Precious gets upset when Sparky fornicates with the other hens, he actually tries to do this when she is not around, like still inside the coop, lmmfao

 

[Kentuckyrain]

I have a hen who makes broody hen clucking sounds so she won't have to breed the rooster. Smart girl.

Lol,, that sounds cute,, but I have to ask,, what are "broody hen clucking" sounds???

 

[Teila]

Weehopper & Kentuckyrain apologies for answering the question that was not directed at me but I am having a quiet day at work and because I am required to sit in front of the computer, I am keeping myself amused

‘Broody hen clucking sounds’ are adorable! I have semi broodys who, while not full on sitting in the nest, want to be or think they have become mummas and make these adorable soft clucking noises while feeding invisible babies or even their flock sisters with who they would never share food when not broody.

I know when one of my broody hen’s eggs are only a couple of days off hatching because she talks to them constantly, again with a very soft clucking/nattering.

Not much makes me smile more than watching a mother hen talk to her babies .. so beautiful!