New member with a question

[JLogue]

Hi. I'm new to this forum. I have 1-year-old Rhode Island Reds. One hen has decided to lay outside of the coop, but she has no eggs to lay on. (I gathered her last egg 2 weeks ago.) We have no rooster, and she hasn't layed any eggs since the one 2 weeks ago. She's been under the house for 2 weeks with no food or water. If I try to move her, she stays in her "laying" position. If I put her back in the safe chicken coop, she sneaks right back to her eggless "laying" spot. What to do? Will she die of dehydration and hunger? How can I get her out of "laying mode" since there is no egg and no fertilized egg? BTW, it's 85+ degrees here in Florida for now. Please help. Thank you so much!!!

 

[Desert Rooster]

Looks like you have a Broody hen, meaning that she wants to be a mommy. its best if you put her in a cage with water and food for a couple of days to break her broodiness.
and Hello

from Hesperia, Ca and

 

[BrattishTaz]

Are you sure she is not ill or injured? Is another chicken picking on her in the coop? If she is just broody you can put her in a cage or dog crate until she is broken from it.
I am in FL too...what area are you in?

 

[JLogue]

Thank you so much!!!

 

[AZBootsie]

Quote:
x2

or....buy her some hatching eggs.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

and

from Ohio. So glad you joined. You can also put a cover over her cage to put her in total darkness. It will help break the broodiness.

 

[Cacciatore]

Welcome from Northern California.

Good luck with your broody hen.

 

[JLogue]

Thanks for the advice. I never thought of that. Birds are birds. It works for parrots, cockatiels, etc.

 

[JLogue]

It's past my bedtime, so I can't figure out how to reply individually. Thank you all for your prompt responses. Per your suggestions, I will first try the separate covered coop with food and water for a few days. Hen is healthy otherwise. No roosters on premises or nearby. Will post results. Thanks again.

 

[Attack Chicken]

from Indiana!