Non-egg laying hen getting broody

[orfan40]

View attachment 1441220 Hi, we have an Americana that is over a year old and has only laid two eggs which were very small. Have threatened her with putting her on the dinner table but since she is a 'pet' can't bring ourselves to that. Anyway, found her yesterday sitting on eggs the others have laid. We're only a backyard family with 4 chickens. This is the first time she's done that. She usually waits outside the coop while our Barred Rock lays hers but hasn't then gone in to sit on it. The Barred Rock has been broody before but we broke her of it since she is an egg layer. I'm just wondering if we should do the same to the Americana. Btw, since only noticing yesterday of this I'm pretty sure that if there are no eggs she doesn't brood.

 

[ashlierami]

View attachment 1441220 Hi, we have an Americana that is over a year old and has only laid two eggs which were very small. Have threatened her with putting her on the dinner table but since she is a 'pet' can't bring ourselves to that. Anyway, found her yesterday sitting on eggs the others have laid. We're only a backyard family with 4 chickens. This is the first time she's done that. She usually waits outside the coop while our Barred Rock lays hers but hasn't then gone in to sit on it. The Barred Rock has been broody before but we broke her of it since she is an egg layer. I'm just wondering if we should do the same to the Americana. Btw, since only noticing yesterday of this I'm pretty sure that if there are no eggs she doesn't brood.

Do you feed layer feed or provide oyster shell for your girls? I actually have a partridge silkie that doesn't lay and if she does it's soft shell. She to went thru a broody stage of wanting to brood but she never stayed with it she would I guess change her mind and get off the eggs. She used to lay daily but ever since she went broody in December and hatched out a chick she has had issues. About 2 months after she hatched her chicks she began laying again. Things went good for about 2 weeks then she had soft eggs and now she doesn't lay even tho she gets on the nest to. I also find the soft shells where she roosts at night. I have oyster shells for her but I don't think it helps. Do you have a rooster? If you want chicks then I would let her sit on the eggs. Since she doesn't lay she could provide you with more chickens if she broods. If you don't want anymore birds then I would break her. If there are no eggs there's a possibility she will still sit there ok nothing. My current broody sat on an empty nest until I could round up some eggs from my other hens for her. I totally get the pet thing. My silkie is my baby her name is Queen and I wouldn't dare eat her just because she doesn't lay. She gave my my first chick and was an awesome mother. Now her daughter is the broody I have and I imagine they will raise the chicks together since she often sits in the nest with her daughter to visit her.

 

[aart]

Btw, since only noticing yesterday of this I'm pretty sure that if there are no eggs she doesn't brood.

They needn't be eggs for a bird to be broody, it's hormonal.
Is she on the nest most the day and all night?
Since you've experienced a broody before, is she exhibiting any other broody behaviors like... fluffing up her feathers, hissing/growling/biting, constant low volume clucking, spread out and flat 'pancake' stance even when removed form nest and put on floor/ground?

You'll need to decide if you want her to hatch out some chicks, and how you will 'manage' it.
Do you have, or can you get, some fertile eggs?
Do you have the space needed? Both for more chickens and she may need to be separated by wire from the rest of the flock.
Do you have a plan on what to do with the inevitable males? Rehome, butcher, keep in separate 'bachelor pad'?
If you decide to let her hatch out some fertile eggs, this is a great thread for reference and to ask questions.
It's a long one but just start reading the first few pages, then browse thru some more at random.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/496101/broody-hen-thread

Otherwise, you know how to break her and it's best to do so promptly.