Odd behavior

[bills]

I have one hen that just recently started staying in the nest box.

Thursday I though that she must be laying so I didn't think anything of it. I could reach under her and pull out the other eggs, but she didn't like it.

After some hours had passed I finally just picked her up and put her outside with the others, and she seemed to forget all about brooding, and spends the rest of the day in the run. She had layed her egg that day, although much later than usual. I noticed the day before that one egg was layed much later than usual, as it appeared in the nest later, after I did my regular collection.

Friday the same thing happens. Even when I brought treats, or opened the door to the run in the morning, she just stayed in the nest. Again after several hours passed, I took her off the nest, and put her outside, and she seemed fine. She hadn't layed, but I figured she would go back in later when she was ready. She seemed normal enough once I put her in the run, eating and drinking, and doing regular chicken things.

But...she never layed an egg that day.. .

Do you think she is getting broody, or is she just having trouble laying? Should I just leave her on the nest today, and see what happens? It's a bit baffeling....

 

[bills]

Anyone??

 

[blue fire]

Broody!! Is she loseing feathers on her underside?
you sure know stuff about potatoes!

I check the easy garden While backyard chickening as well.

 

[bills]

I have had my ups and downs with spuds. Last year they all got blight.

Great forum for gardeners for sure!

As to the feather loss, I can't say I notice any difference yet, although it has only been the last few days since she started this nonsense.

I left her on the nest today after pulling 4 eggs from under her. One of my other hens had to climb in with her to lay an egg this morning. Stupid bird had to pass a perfectly good nest to get to the one already being used.

They all lay in the same nest, and have done so since day one. Well all except Miss Bean, who still has to lay hers in the run everyday, forr some dumb reason. One dirty egg a day...

 

[MissPrissy]

They love to lay in the same boxes. I have seen 5 of my hens in a box at one time all of them jocking for position. Rumps turned up and rumps turned down. I have even seen one RIR lay her egg on the back of a BR hen who wouldn't move out of the box. Crazy chickens. LOL

You may have a hen trying to go broody on you. One of my wyandottes just hatch 2 RIR chicks.

 

[rooster-red]

Quote:

Funny, but it so true.

 

[bills]

Well as time went by the nest hog finally decided to join the others out in the run, seemingly perfectly normal.

But, she didn't lay again today

The nest was empty after all that time. What the heck?

She eats and drinks fine while in the run, and doesn't seem lethargic, or walking penguin style. Her eyes are bright and clear, breathing is good, combs and wattles are a nice red.

I am baffled by this odd behavior, and disappointed that she suddenly stopped laying...

 

[chilling in muscadine]

I don't get an egg everyday from all my hen's. I guess they take a day off every once in awhile. She is probably broody for sure. I still can't figure out why they all want to use the same nest box. Even my full time free range hen's lay in other's nest.

 

[Wynette]

You know, I've noticed the same behavior with some of mine. I'll see one in a nest box before I leave for work, then, when I get home 9 hrs. later, no egg from her. I know who lays which eggs, and I've seen this behavior from this particular hen on more than one occasion. JUST when I start to think maybe she's eggbound or something, she finally lays. I think they all have their egg-laying quirks! Hope that helps! Nice to hear you're concerned about your girl!!

 

[bills]

Well I'm still not getting any eggs from her, but I broke her of the nesting habit, so perhaps she will begin laying again soon...I hope.

How did I break her? I had built a run, within a run. Up to now I have let them stay in the smaller run, which they seemed more than happy with. I decided to open them up to the larger run (20'X40'). They of course love it, and spend most of the day in it. I guess the nest hog couldn't stand to miss out on the new territory, so she has joined the others every morning the last few days.

As soon as I open the chicken door, they all come tumbling out, practically running one another over in their haste. One day three all tried to come out at the same time, and actually got stuck in the chicken door.

I felt sorry for the hen on the bottom of the pile up. I guess the birds in behind must have finally shoved the others through, but it took a good two minutes or more. Funny little dinosaurs these things...