Just my luck... happy UPDATE

[hensdeliverthegoods]

I have a sex-link that's gone broody on me! Isn't that supposed to be bred out of them? On top of that, she's not letting the others near her, so they're laying floor eggs and some are getting broken. I guess I'll keep trying to find a rooster, or just wait it out. I've not been getting near the egg count I'm used to lately, but I assume it's because they're getting ready for a hard molt. (?)
But wait - there's more! I'd been letting them free-range and last night one didn't come back. I'm pretty sure a neighborhood dog got it because my German Shepherd chased one away from our property yesterday, and she usually only chases like that for a reason. *SIGH* This chicken raising is a very steep learning curve, isn't it?

 

[JennsPeeps]

Any hen can go broody, some breeds do more so than others.

Pull that broody hen out and put her in a cage or dog kennel with no nesting materials for a few days. It'll break her broodiness and let the other girls keep laying in the box.

 

[cmom]

I had one that wasn't laying any eggs, but just laying in a nest with a golf ball under her. I kept pushing her out of the nest. Now she just goes in when she wants to lay an egg. I would do what previous post said, put her in something with no nesting materials for a few days.

 

[hensdeliverthegoods]

Thanks JennsPeeps, I'll do that. I've been checking, and I guess at 9-10 months my girls are too young to molt, correct?

 

[JennsPeeps]

I'm no expert on molting, as my girls haven't done it yet (too young). I did read here just today that younger birds will go through a "mini-molt" in their first year.

I'm ready for my cochin to molt. She's looking kinda skanky!! I do not want to bathe her, either, since she's a bit skittish and I'm training her that being picked up means prime treats.

 

[hensdeliverthegoods]

Well, the learning curve and funny stuff continues. Here it is, 10 days later, and lo and behold the prodigal chicken has returned! I just went out to the coop and there she was at the gate to the pen, waiting to be let in. I have no idea where she was this whole time, but she is missing most of her tail feathers. Whether that's from being attacked or making herself a nest, I don't know. I'm just so glad she's back.

The really funny part is that about an hour after I let her back in with her sisters, they all gathered in the run and vocalized like crazy for about 10 minutes straight! I never saw the like...maybe they were welcoming her back or re-establishing flock order or something. It was cute as heck, though...

Oh, forgot to add that your advice on my broody hen worked like a charm. Four days in a large dog crate with no nesting materials did the trick. Now maybe things will return to semi-normal around here. (who am I kidding?)

 

[newchickenfamily]

I'm so glad your chicken returned from her road trip! I bet she had some story to tell the rest of the flock!!

 

[CHICKENLADY123]

WARNING WARNING NEW CHICKEN OWNER!!!

What is a molt ? and when does it start ?

 

[JennsPeeps]

Quote:
Molt is when a bird replaces its feathers with news ones - like a dog or cat shedding to get a new season's coat. They can look pretty fugly when it happens. Because of all the energy their bodies are expending to get the new feathers, they typically stop laying during that time.

(Dramatization... do not try this at home)

(not my chicken)