Odd Behavior (edited)

[3speckled3]

One of my Barred Rock hens disappeared 6 days ago. About 2 days after, she came back and ate with the rest like it was nothing. She was drenched (it had been raining) and smelled like old eggs. By that night she was gone again as she wasn't roosting with the others. After that, I didn't see her again until this afternoon. I noticed that she has been constantly scratching at her face and rustling through her feathers. I checked for lice or mites and found nothing, but I am going to pick up a spray just in case. She did act very defensive when I went near her, however, by puffing out her feathers and sticking her wings out. She is normally a fairly friendly hen and that is definitely not her usual behavior.

I know that some hens will leave and lay eggs off somewhere else, so I'm wondering if that's the case. But the egg smell and the scratching has me a bit worried. As of right now she is still with the rest of the chickens. If she chooses to leave again I will try and watch to see where she goes.

EDIT: I followed her and I have an even bigger problem. She's sitting on eggs on top of the roof. I'm not too sure why as the nesting boxes would have been much safer, but I don't know what to do because that is not a good location at all

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

I would follow her when she leaves again if you can. She may have a broken egg with the others that she has laid.

 

[MysteryChicken]

She could be a sneaky broody.

 

[3speckled3]

I followed her and I have an even bigger problem. She's sitting on eggs on top of the roof. I'm not too sure why as the nesting boxes would have been much safer, but I don't know what to do because that is not a good location at all

 

[MysteryChicken]

I followed her and I have an even bigger problem. She's sitting on eggs on top of the roof. I'm not too sure why as the nesting boxes would have been much safer, but I don't know what to do because that is not a good location at all

Do you have roosters? If so the eggs she's sitting on maybe fertile.

 

[3speckled3]

Do you have roosters? If so the eggs she's sitting on maybe fertile.

I do. Knowing that the eggs could be fertile is one of the reasons I truly don't know what to do. I can't mess with the nest and move the eggs because she most likely will not go back to them, but I also can't put a barrier around the nest on the roof. I think I am going to just watch the nest carefully and try and transport the (possible) chicks to a pen if they hatch. She has put me in a bit of a tough spot

 

[MysteryChicken]

I do. Knowing that the eggs could be fertile is one of the reasons I truly don't know what to do. I can't mess with the nest and move the eggs because she most likely will not go back to them, but I also can't put a barrier around the nest on the roof. I think I am going to just watch the nest carefully and try and transport the (possible) chicks to a pen if they hatch. She has put me in a bit of a tough spot

Do you have a large doggy crate you can move her, & the eggs too?

 

[aart]

I do. Knowing that the eggs could be fertile is one of the reasons I truly don't know what to do. I can't mess with the nest and move the eggs because she most likely will not go back to them, but I also can't put a barrier around the nest on the roof. I think I am going to just watch the nest carefully and try and transport the (possible) chicks to a pen if they hatch. She has put me in a bit of a tough spot

Sure you can move the nest...and you should, as it's not in a good place.
Yes, it may break her broodiness and/or you may lose the embryos, but she'll be safe.
Do you have a place to isolate her with enough space for a nest and walking around/pooping space?

Did you see inside the nest?
The 'old egg' smell may mean some of the eggs are broken.

 

[3speckled3]

Sure you can move the nest...and you should, as it's not in a good place.
Yes, it may break her broodiness and/or you may lose the embryos, but she'll be safe.
Do you have a place to isolate her with enough space for a nest and walking around/pooping space?

Did you see inside the nest?
The 'old egg' smell may mean some of the eggs are broken.

After interfering with her nest, it appears that she has abandoned the eggs. I haven't seen her sit on them all day. I will give her a little more time, but at least she is safer now.