My mothering hen just layed an egg?

[ArekE]

I have a hen that has been raising chicks for a little over 3 weeks now and just about ten minutes ago i watched her lay an egg. I keep hearing that a mothering hen will not lay eggs while brooding but this one did. Any thoughts?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Probably the weather. They wean them earlier when it is warm.

 

[ArekE]

Yeah its about 85 right now so does that mean she is done raising them?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Most likely. I've had hens brood for a couple months and others are over it in 3 weeks.
Once they don't need her help, she's done.

 

[Free Feather]

My bantam Cochin layed eggs the whole time she was raising chicks, and occasionally while she was setting. I think it is because she was broody because she really wanted babies, and not because of a hormone. She would also occasionally crap in the nest on accident - another reason why I thought she might have been broody out of sheer will. She was also pretty aware instead of in a trance, unlike my Black Australorp who is clearly broody out of a strong instinct. Isolde, the Cochin, is broody again, and I am noticing the same things as last time.

 

[ArekE]

Ok the chicks didnt seem to upset that she ditched them. I tried to see if the broody silkie with 6 three week old chicks would take them but i guess she decided 6 was enough for her and pecked them away. Now thier sleeping in there little kennel alone.