No eggs but sitting

[Carrie M]

I didn't get any eggs yesterday and only one from the day before (3 hens).

One of our hens has gotten really aggressive and raising her feathers at us whenever I or my kids come near her. Yesterday afternoon and this morning, when I checked for eggs, this aggressive hen was in the laying box and raised her feathers when she saw me. I waited for her to leave and went to check the box (sure there'd be something) and nothing. She's been sitting in the only box that we find eggs in so it's the popular spot apparently.

We have had a problem with an egg eater but I was super vigilant - was I too vigilant and interrupted their laying?

What could be happening and what can I do about it?

 

[Pork Pie]

She's gone broody - they will happily sit on fresh air, eggs are not necessary for this behaviour. If you have no wish for chicks or do not have a cockbird then breaking her broodiness is advisable. You can do this by putting her in a crate (with food and water) that's raised off the ground slightly for 3-4 days. If she runs back to the nest box afterwards, return her to the crate for a couple more days.

 

[Top Rooster]

Well it sounds like she's gone broody if you don't know what that means it means she wants to sit on eggs and hatch chicks, often broody hens get really aggressive but it's not because they just don't like you it's because she's protective of her eggs or no eggs In your case they will sit on nothing if their really determined. You can get her some fertilized eggs from someone else that has a rooster they eggs will hatch on day 21, I always love to let them hatch chicks. What breed is she? If you don't want her to raise any chicks you can put her in a wire cage with food and water but no nest and she'll go out of her broodiness in about 3 days.