My hen is setting in her nest box all the time!

[Ridgerunner]

We have a hen who just began setting, looks like, on a couple of eggs on the ground where she usually lays, in a nest made of wood shavings and leaves, inside the coop. We're expecting freezing weather tonight. Nobody told her winter isn't quite over, I guess. Will she give it up, or stay there without the benefit of the other chickens' body warmth?

Billy, I’m giving eggs to a broody this afternoon up here in the northwest corner, about when I finish this post. I’ve been collecting hatching eggs for a few days and now it’s time to set them. There is more risk in severe weather, but it’s not something I worry about, the hen should be able to handle it.

Aart’s story is a good one, I was going to link to that but now there is no need.

 

[BillyRoper]

A tragic and noble end to the story, this chapter of it, anyway: I was putting the chickens up for the night a bit ago, and walked in, just to look back in the corner where she was brooding. She was sitting there. I didn't want to disturb her, but I stepped closer while my eyes adjusted to the dimmer light. She was laying there, dead. I don't know if it was from the strain, or the cold, or what, she had minimal marks on her from the other chickens, none of them fatal, so she died from natural causes. She died brooding, on seven eggs. Poor girl.

 

[song of joy]

How very sad. I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[Mrs. K]

oh so sad... but not to do with the brooding, I am almost sure. Sometimes they just die. I had one yesterday, she was tucking in a wind blocking shelter, and at first, I thought she had gone broody, but then realized she was dead! dang it.

 

[manners]

My hen has been staying her nest for the last three weeks I take her out of the nest at least twice a day to feed, sometimes I lock her out of the coup until the night but she goes straight back into the nest box she's not laying eggs and is eating and drinking well. In pecking order she is the boss and shows it every time I bring her out to feed, not sure what to do next

 

[cutiepie960]

Hello,
My heather is doing that too she is constantly sitting on 1 egg daily even on an empty nest she will come & go in her nest area... Heather is feral & adopted me so i am confused as to whats her issue... She's been constantly laying an egg 1 everyday except twice no egg!! But she is constantly going in & out of her nesting area to the point where i have to chase her off her nest & when i do she makes this growling noise & refuses to move off her nest as i DO NOT WANT ANY BABY CHICKS WHATSOEVER!!!! Whats her issue!!!

 

[Abigayle]

I am having the same problem right now. One of my six month old Buff Orphington is sitting on the next (in Dec.). She was there much of the day and was still there tonight, when they were locked in the coop. There are no eggs under her and it would we an odd time of year for her to go broody, esp. at six months. I am going to feel her vent in the morning if she is still in there. I don't want to scare the feathers off of all of them in the dark tonight. Abigayle