Is one of my girls trying to go broody?

[Hteeter2]

I went out to collect eggs, and I found one of my Rhode Island Reds under the water bucket. For my girls I use water nipples on a 5 gallon bucket. Anyways I went over checked to see if maybe the water was getting low. It wasn't... She moved after I lifted the bucket to check it. Then I went to the coop collecting eggs. When I can out she was back under the water bucket. I want to mention the run was pretty much shade.... Seeing her under there again I went over petting her a bit; then she got up leave the bucket. Could she be trying to go broody? She didn't puff up or attack me... She's only been of laying age for about two months or so.

 

[Kessel23]

That does not sound like broody behaviour, how hot is it outside? She might be overheating and trying to get wet. Is water coming out of the nipple? make sure it is not clogged or something.

 

[Hteeter2]

That does not sound like broody behaviour, how hot is it outside? She might be overheating and trying to get wet. Is water coming out of the nipple? make sure it is not clogged or something.

(Sorry, if this is too much. I like to give as much info as I can.)

I do live in Florida, but it was damp under her. Plus they have plenty of shade, and not to mention a large shed size coop as well. I check the water regularly, and I only have 7 hens. Her mouth wasn't open like she was hot. The water is coming out. I switched to the water nipples to stop them from pooping in their water or kicking sand in to the waterer until it clogged up. The seven of them go through five gallons in about a week or so; however I refill it before it gets too low for my peace of mind.

 

[Kessel23]

Well broody hens usually like to set on the most popular nesting box, I am not sure why she would try to set under the water nipples. Is she clucking like a broody, is she puffing up and fanning her wings out when she gets up to eat, does she seem like she is in a hurry wherever she goes, is she still laying eggs? Also, is she still pooping, is she sitting under there like a healthy hen or does she look a bit off? It is also possible that she is just being a chicken and is sitting where she wants to sit, chickens like to rest underneath something because it provides shade and protection, if they sit underneath something then they won't have to worry about watching for hawks because the hawks will not see them. When my chickens rest they like to go under my trailer or my wagon or at the edge of the woods under some branches. Even inside the run, which has a safe metal top, I still have some birds that rest under the feeder or under the branches they use to roost. It is probably moist under her because it is florida and she is a chicken sitting on the ground, lift her up and look for a broody patch, a patch of reddish shin where feathers are missing.

 

[Hteeter2]

Other than seeming to be planted under that spot she seems fine. I'm not sure about who lays what when because all the eggs look similar. (I want to get a camera for the coop, and for the run to see who lays what when.) Probably I'm over thinking this I guess.... The last two days or so they have been clearing off a lot next to our property that is next to the chicken coop and run. It's been a bit noisy; maybe it's that. I don't know.

 

[Hteeter2]

False alarm! I just went out to check for eggs one more time today and there was an egg right to the side of where she was hunkered down at. She decided to lay her egg right almost in the middle of the run. LOL!