Is this broody behavior or something else?

[Spaeth-chicks]

My chicken has been laying flat off and on in the yard lately. She’s not laying in the nesting box on eggs all day, she lays her normal egg every day to every other day, and leaves the nesting box after, but she’s been laying flat a lot throughout the day in the yard. Is this a broody sign? This is a pretty new behavior for her. I’ve never had a broody hen, these are my first chickens and they’re a year and a couple months old now.

 

[GoatGirl123]

I notice that she is wearing some sort of apron, is this a new thing or has she been wearing it for a long time?

 

[Spaeth-chicks]

I notice that she is wearing some sort of apron, is this a new thing or has she been wearing it for a long time?

She’s wearing a little jacket because our rooster has been developing his spurs and he’s been causing a lot of damage to the backs of my girls. So I put little jackets on them. She’s had it on for a while now. It’s not new on her, but the laying down flat like this behavior is new.

 

[GoatGirl123]

Then, I’m sorry but I have no clue. Hopefully someone with more experience will join.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Not a broody sign, but she may be feeling unwell. Is she eating and drinking ok? Active otherwise?

 

[Spaeth-chicks]

Not a broody sign, but she may be feeling unwell. Is she eating and drinking ok? Active otherwise?

She’s eating and drinking and laying just fine. She’s been a little more agitated at the one chicken lower on the pecking order than she is. Other than that, the only new behavior is the laying down more often like my photos. I’ll definitely keep an eye on her. Thank you so much for the feed back!

 

[aart]

Might want to take a look under those saddles, make sure they aren't providing shelter for bugs.

Is it hot where you live?

Oh, also......it's more often the toenails, rather than the spurs, that break feathers when mounting.