Is she broody?

[Axselia]

Hi all,
I have 2 Japanese bantams. One girl the other day laid her egg and then decided to sit on it all day. The next morning she chucked it out the nest and then continued her day as usual. This was 3 days ago. She has not laid an egg since and should have as she usually lays an egg every second day. I don't have fertile eggs but I put one in the nest yesterday that she had laid another time and she has ignored it. Would stopping the egg laying mean she is ready to sit and should I get some fertile eggs or let her be and wait until she gets really broody?

 

[Hensndoes]

I would wait. She may be toying with the idea or maybe not. General rule of thumb is to not give them eggs until they've been on the nest 3 days. You will know when she is broody- there is no mistaking that behavior. If this is your first time letting a broody sit you may want to read my "how not to let a broody hatch" thread in the incubating forum. I knew better but did not follow the general advice this go around. Don't do what I did.

 

[Axselia]

Hi,
Right I will wait then, She is not in that really broody state and I know what you mean as I had a broody pekin bantam years ago who hatched 5 out of 6 eggs. She was fiercely protective of her eggs. I was confused with my new girl as she sat then all of a sudden wasn't interested. That is good to know.
Thanks heaps.