My Buff Orp is losing her mind!

[Henriettamom919]

Last week my BO was acting broody, I utilized the advice here and that seems to have passed. She's laying normally, leaving the nest once she's done, etc.

That being said she's still puffing up and clucking any time one of the other girls gets anywhere near her. This goes on ALL.DAY. She seemed normal for a few days after her normal laying resumed but now she's constantly on the defensive. Eventually my Alpha hen does nip at her but only after she's walked around puffed up and flapping wings at everyone and kind of provokes a reaction.

Any ideas? She doesn't look like she's missing any new feathers (she has a spot on one of her wings that was picked at when the pecking order changed a few months ago) and the other two aren't acting unusually aggressive with her. I've even witnessed Carol, my Alpha, trying to dust bath/groom her but she's NOT having it!

 

[sourland]

It's all hormonal. Only time will bring her back to her normal pre broody self.

 

[Henriettamom919]

It's all hormonal. Only time will bring her back to her normal pre broody self.

That's a relief! The other two look so confused

 

[sourland]

That's a relief! The other two look so confused

Due to her change in behavior they are most likely viewing her as a 'stranger'.

 

[Henriettamom919]

Due to her change in behavior they are most likely viewing her as a 'stranger'.

Yup! They're wary of her, for sure. In a way it's been good in that my Alpha girl has actually mellowed a bit, even trying to include her when before she would have been pushed out of certain activities. Eventually they just wander off and leave her to her crazy.

 

[aart]

It's all hormonal. Only time will bring her back to her normal pre broody self.

...or she'll lay a few eggs then go full on broody again.

 

[Henriettamom919]

...or she'll lay a few eggs then go full on broody again.

And the winner is...

This is exactly what ended up happening yesterday afternoon. She went back up when everyone had done their biz and stayed up all afternoon and all night. Even after I took the eggs from under her.

She will be going in the dog kennel today. I hate to do it but she'll actively keep the other two from laying so it's broody breaking time.

 

[aart]

And the winner is...

BTDT....numerous times.
I know that broody cluck.