My rooster is growling and won’t get out of the egg laying box! The entire flock is going crazy!

[Chickenshannanigans]

There was an awful commotion in my coop, I went up and my rooster will not get out of the egg laying box and he is growling and throwing chips out of the box and scratching and turning circles! My black hen is on top of my Brahma in her box (she is sitting on eggs) three other hens are tripled in a single box and one alone in another with not other eggs besides the one the Brahma is sitting on! They are all making quite a commotion besides the three that are out free ranging as normal. They never go into the coop in the day unless they’re laying or sitting. I’ve went over the coop with a fine tooth comb and there are no snakes or mice or anything of that sort. But it seems as if they are all going biserk except the three that are out being normal. Anyone know what’s going on? I’ve been babysitting them for like an hour and no change. I’ve inserted some pics but I don’t know how to upload a video. The pics aren’t great but I was in a hurry. Thanks in advance. The rooster growling and in the egg box and the chickens tripling and doubling up in the boxes cackling like crazy and scratching all the chips out of the boxes has ME scratching my head! No chicks…. She has about 8 more days before they are due. I’m worried about the black hen on her as well.

 

[sourland]

He's encouraging them to lay eggs in that spot. That sound is typical of roosters calling a hen to a nest site.

 

[LaFleche]

It is a great rooster showing your hens where to lay their eggs and preparing the box for them.

 

[Chickenshannanigans]

He's encouraging them to lay eggs in that spot. That sound is typical of roosters calling a hen to a nest site.

Thank you. But what about the black hen laying on top of my Brahma? She is sitting on eggs!

 

[Chickenshannanigans]

Thank you. But what about the black hen laying on top of my Brahma? She is sitting on eggs!

My last rooster didn’t behave like this but he was a crazy leghorn. I was just shocked because he is only our second rooster. So I guess this means he’s a good rooster doing his job? And then hens are obeying him….. lol chickens are crazy

 

[sourland]

Thank you. But what about the black hen laying on top of my Brahma? She is sitting on eggs!

Chickens tend to 'want' the nest that others have. This is why it's best to isolate setting hens from the flock. Added eggs can cause a disastrous staggered hatch, and hens crowding into the nest box can inadvertently crack/break eggs.

 

[Chickenshannanigans]

Chickens tend to 'want' the nest that others have. This is why it's best to isolate setting hens from the flock. Added eggs can cause a disastrous staggered hatch, and hens crowding into the nest box can inadvertently crack/break eggs.

Okay thanks I haven’t ran into this issue before with my other brooders successfully hatching. I’m going to go get the black hen off the Brahma and hop the rooster don’t attack me! Good grief! lol

 

[LaFleche]

I’m going to go get the black hen off the Brahma

Are they both broody?

 

[Chickenshannanigans]

Are they both broody?

No the black one was just being a brat. When I went back up she was off of my Brahma and out free ranging. But 6 of my laying boxes are full of chiickens now and they aren’t even any eggs under them my rooster obviously just up there bossing them around and laying down the law I suppose….

 

[Chickenshannanigans]

It is a great rooster showing your hens where to lay their eggs and preparing the box for them.

Thanks so much!