Need help! Hen isn’t laying and she’s lethargic.

[Newnjchickens]

My hen has been in her nesting box for the past few days, day and night. She’ll come out to eat real quick and then goes right back in, she just lays in there. Checked to see if she is egg bound, but all three times, there’s nothing. She also hasn’t laid an egg in at least 4 days and I’m worried.
Brought her inside today to keep an eye on her and she pooped. It was the most disgusting smell I’ve ever smelt, definitely not the normal chicken poop smell.

Does anyone maybe have an idea what’s wrong with her? The nearest vet that deals with poultry is hours away and I’m unable to get her there myself at this current time.

 

[GirlsMommy18]

Sounds possibly broody? Broody poos are huge, stinky, and awful.

 

[coach723]

I agree, she does sound broody. If you don't want her to hatch eggs, then it's best to break them, which is not nearly as bad as it sounds. While they are broody they don't eat or drink well, often lose weight and in general it can be hard on their bodies, so no need to let them do it if there are not going to be chicks. There are many ways to try, here is a link, I find that 'chicken jail' is the most effective, video at the end of the article. If it's still cold where you are I would not use the frozen bottle method since you could cause hypothermia this time of year.
https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/6-ways-to-break-a-broody-hen/

 

[Newnjchickens]

I agree, she does sound broody. If you don't want her to hatch eggs, then it's best to break them, which is not nearly as bad as it sounds. While they are broody they don't eat or drink well, often lose weight and in general it can be hard on their bodies, so no need to let them do it if there are not going to be chicks. There are many ways to try, here is a link, I find that 'chicken jail' is the most effective, video at the end of the article. If it's still cold where you are I would not use the frozen bottle method since you could cause hypothermia this time of year.
https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/6-ways-to-break-a-broody-hen/

Wow, thank you! I’m going to give it a try! I didn’t think broody because everything I read about broody behavior didn’t match up! But it makes sense. We had brought her inside earlier today and that how I noticed the smell, I though my 85lb dog pooped in the house!
She has lost a lot of weight I’ve noticed, and we do want chicks, but we have an incubator that we’re on day 15 of. No need for her to do this to herself if it’s not necessary. Thank you for the help!

 

[Newnjchickens]

I agree, she does sound broody. If you don't want her to hatch eggs, then it's best to break them, which is not nearly as bad as it sounds. While they are broody they don't eat or drink well, often lose weight and in general it can be hard on their bodies, so no need to let them do it if there are not going to be chicks. There are many ways to try, here is a link, I find that 'chicken jail' is the most effective, video at the end of the article. If it's still cold where you are I would not use the frozen bottle method since you could cause hypothermia this time of year.
https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/6-ways-to-break-a-broody-hen/

I decided to go with the ‘give her back her egg’ technique. I gave her a day 15 egg so hopefully when it hatches in a few days that’s it. The article said that once it hatches into a chick the behavior almost always stops. Fingers crossed!

 

[micstrachan]

Let us know how it goes with the egg. Is she tucking the eggs under her and flattening her body like a pancake over them?

 

[HeartsDelight]

Congratulations, you've now been introduced to the infamous Broody Poop! Welcome to the club.

....my boyfriend didn't speak to me for several hours after lifting one of my broodies and being immediately broody pooped on. And he has had a macaw for 17 years, so being that offended by bird poop is really impressive