is she sick or going broody?

[zerwitt14]

I have 14 hens and last night when I went out to feed the girls one would not move out of a nesting box? They are all about 14 months old bought and raised together, and I have not had any get sick before, thankfully! I entered the coup last night and this one stayed in the box as I fed them, filled the water bucket and collected all the eggs. She is in the one box that usually has the most eggs in it. How do I determine if she is sick or going broody? Do I remove her from the box and see how she responds? see if there are eggs under her? I remove all eggs daily, except last night there were only 7 when I average about 10-12 a day. I did not move her to check the box where she is laying.... any help greatly appreciated!!!!!

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Does she puff up in response to you touching her and kind of make a different sound? Do her clucks sound a little different? Then she is probably broody. Also, if she is not pooping in the nest box, she is more likely broody. Broody hens will hold it and then produce a massive "broody poop" when they take a break from the nest box to eat and drink.

On the other hand, if she is closing her eyes most of the time when you check on her, then she might be sick. Or if her vent seems to be pulsing like she is trying to lay an egg she could be egg bound.

I just take the eggs from my hens when they are broody. They protest a bit, but they just keep sitting in the nest box.

 

[zerwitt14]

She is just laying there is the same position, eyes open and moving. I have not tried to move her yet, her vent does not seem to be pulsing at all. I shall try to move her and see what her reaction is.

 

[chickenlver2013]

She is just laying there is the same position, eyes open and moving.  I have not tried to move her yet, her vent does not seem to be pulsing at all. I shall try to move her and see what her reaction is.

 

she sounds broody I wouldn't move her

 

[zerwitt14]

oh WOW! she puffed up real big and tried to take off my hand when I reached in at her! I am saying she broody! How can I get her out of there with out losing a hand!

 

[chickenlver2013]

oh WOW! she puffed up real big and tried to take off my hand when I reached in at her!  I am saying she broody! How can I get her out of there with out losing a hand!

Well your hand will be fine. She is in protective mode right now and she is doing everything she can to protect her nest. If you reach and grab her where she can't open her wings you'll be fine. I wouldn't do it at night because she will scream. You don't want to wake anybody up. How many eggs does she have In her nest?

 

[zerwitt14]

I have no idea how many are under her. that box usually has 4-6 eggs most days.... I don't how many were there when she took over that box! I will wait a few days and see what she does, we have no roosters so the eggs have no chance to hatch! Will the eggs be good to eat if they stay in the heat too much longer? it is in the 70s here right now!

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Well the eggs are even warmer than 70 degrees under the broody hen. Considering she has been broody for at least a few days, I would probably throw them away. I check under my broody hens every day because sometimes other hens go into the same nest box and lay an egg and the broody rolls the egg under her breast. As long as it has only been under her for a day I go ahead and collect and eat those eggs as usual. Most of my broodies don't peck as much as yours. You could wear some work gloves when you pick her up to prevent getting pecked.

 

[chickenlver2013]

I have no idea how many are under her.  that box usually has 4-6 eggs most days.... I don't how many were there when she took over that box!  I will wait a few days and see what she does, we have no roosters so the eggs have no chance to hatch!  Will the eggs be good to eat if they stay in the heat too much longer? it is in the 70s here right now!

 

well if there is no rooster I would throw her eggs away and put a brick or a big rock in her nest so she won't go back if you take her out. She will see that rock and she will see she can't set there anymore.