Not Laying Eggs, Not Moving from Nest Box

[bluemusefarm]

Our 20-month-old Buff Orpington hen has refused to move from her nest box for 3 days. She has always been an egg-a-day layer. There is no egg under her, and we've forced her out into the run a few times, only to have to peck around for a while, then return to the nest box. We checked her vent (not way "up in there," but we took a good look)---it looks perfectly normal and clean. All the other hens (3 Buffs, 4 Speckled Sussex, 2 Leghorns, and 3 Rhode Islands) are acting perfectly normal.

I don't think she's been eating or drinking -- at least not when we're around. She has no signs of visible trauma or injury, although her legs have always been a little funny --- she walks with a much more pronounced strut than the others, but always has. Her poop yesterday, when we forced her into the run, was runny -- but didn't look like anything to be alarmed about.

I called the organic farmer who sold us to her, and he'd never had any egg-bound chickens. We thought that was the issue, but her vent looks perfectly normal. But STILL --- it's been 3 days, and she just wants to lay there, and she hasn't laid an egg. Doesn't that mean she's egg-bound?

We're not sure what to do. Any help/ideas/insights you can offer are MUCH appreciated. THANK YOU!!!

 

[klmclain1]

I'm guessing she's broody! Does she holler at you when you lift her off the nest?

 

[Eggcessive]

That definately sounds like she is broody. You can : a. Put some eggs under her and let her hatch them or b. Take her out of the nest box and put her in a dog crate for a couple of days to break her.

 

[bluemusefarm]

So maybe I'm stupid????I thought broody hens had to be laying eggs they were trying to hatch... ?

 

[scratch'n'peck]

My Buff Orpington hens go broody maybe once a year even though I collect all the eggs. They will sit in the nest box and when I look in on them they will puff up their feathers and make a cooing sound. It's just a hormonal thing that passes. I take my broody hens off the nest once a day to encourage them to eat and drink and stretch their legs. That's my guess about what is going on with her.

 

[bluemusefarm]

She pecks like a maniac!

No hollerin', though.

 

[Eggcessive]

Actually broody hens stop laying eggs. Most of the time I have them sit on others' eggs unless I've collected theirs for awhile. My broodys all have someone elses' chicks to raise. It's funny to see my little mille fleur raising big ole buff brahma chicks, and teaching them to hunt and peck.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Yes, some of my broody hens love to peck my hand when I reach in to pet them.

 

[bluemusefarm]

Thank you for all the replies --- I think we have a conclusion. I feel a little foolish for not knowing, but it's our first time---so that's okay, right?

I will try your ideas. Thanks again!

 

[lclough1998]

You dont want to pass up a good broody! I love mine! So much easier then brooder chicks and they teach them everything from the start! Enjoy!