Odd Hen Behavior

[BlueSoul]

I have a little red barnyard hen, she's young and sweet, but I'm so confused with her behavior because I've never had a chicken act like this.

When when first got her she was a few months old but got along fine with the other hens, she'd always try to get inside the house, she'd give up after a bit and go do chicken stuff. After about six months it started to get really cold so we brought her in when we found her alone outside and put her in a crate for a few days till it warmed up.
I put her outside, thinking she'd go to the other hens, but she just wants to fallow us inside. When she's out she doesn't act any different from the other hens, aside from sticking to herself, but inside she just sleeps a bit more and stands in one place without trying to get out- the crate can be left open but she won't leave.

I keep thinking she's sick but she doesn't have any symptoms, she eats and drinks, her poop is normal ECT. Her comb is red but she hasn't started to lay so I don't think she's broody. I've also wormed her.

She also likes to be pet, if that means anything. Kinda acts like a duckling.

I hope I've been clear, any advice would be appreciated.

 

[BlueSoul]

I forgot to say that aside from the usual pecking order behavior, the hens leave her alone. She does have an older hen that she'll hang around and a silky roost who also tries to come in.

 

[SamLockwood]

The largest of my legbars is obsessed with following me inside. All of them are overly friendly and when I'm out 3-4 of them will constantly follow me around, but "Pet" will sometimes literally try to fly through the door when I open it.

Three times now she's snuck into the house when I've either left a door open or she'll follow at my heels (she can be very stealthy when she wants to). Once she was in for over an hour, exploring the whole first floor, and while I'm doing paperwork at the dining room table I here this flapping of wings and she's on the footstool next to me. She gets along fine with the other chickens (she's actually one of the more "alpha" hens of the flock), but she's got ambitions moving into the really big coop next door.

 

[Chicken poppy]

I have a little red barnyard hen, she's young and sweet, but I'm so confused with her behavior because I've never had a chicken act like this.

When when first got her she was a few months old but got along fine with the other hens, she'd always try to get inside the house, she'd give up after a bit and go do chicken stuff. After about six months it started to get really cold so we brought her in when we found her alone outside and put her in a crate for a few days till it warmed up.
I put her outside, thinking she'd go to the other hens, but she just wants to fallow us inside. When she's out she doesn't act any different from the other hens, aside from sticking to herself, but inside she just sleeps a bit more and stands in one place without trying to get out- the crate can be left open but she won't leave.

I keep thinking she's sick but she doesn't have any symptoms, she eats and drinks, her poop is normal ECT. Her comb is red but she hasn't started to lay so I don't think she's broody. I've also wormed her.

She also likes to be pet, if that means anything. Kinda acts like a duckling.

I hope I've been clear, any advice would be appreciated.

Keep in mind her acting normal in front of the other chickens could be because they mask illnesses extremely well. Normally when you notice serious behavior change is when its to late.

You will know if she is broody because they can hiss, bite, strike like a snake (like peck) growl, and will be very puffy!
She is not broody.

Mine loves to come in the house and will actually knock on the door so i let them in.

Very little chickens dislike pets. All mine snuggle in my lap 24/7 and enjoy it.
Watch out for some symptoms but i think she could be okay.

 

[BlueSoul]

Keep in mind her acting normal in front of the other chickens could be because they mask illnesses extremely well. Normally when you notice serious behavior change is when its to late.

You will know if she is broody because they can hiss, bite, strike like a snake (like peck) growl, and will be very puffy!
She is not broody.

Mine loves to come in the house and will actually knock on the door so i let them in.

Very little chickens dislike pets. All mine snuggle in my lap 24/7 and enjoy it.
Watch out for some symptoms but i think she could be okay.

Can she be broody without laying her first egg?

I meant she's not getting picked on, they chase her once in awhile but that's it. I'm sorry, I should have added that.

Thank you for your advice

 

[BlueSoul]

The largest of my legbars is obsessed with following me inside. All of them are overly friendly and when I'm out 3-4 of them will constantly follow me around, but "Pet" will sometimes literally try to fly through the door when I open it.

Three times now she's snuck into the house when I've either left a door open or she'll follow at my heels (she can be very stealthy when she wants to). Once she was in for over an hour, exploring the whole first floor, and while I'm doing paperwork at the dining room table I here this flapping of wings and she's on the footstool next to me. She gets along fine with the other chickens (she's actually one of the more "alpha" hens of the flock), but she's got ambitions moving into the really big coop next door.

What do I do if I just can't get her to go outside? Even if I pick her up and take her to the other end of the yard with the hens, she runs to the door and won't leave.

 

[Chicken poppy]

Can she be broody without laying her first egg?

I meant she's not getting picked on, they chase her once in awhile but that's it. I'm sorry, I should have added that.

Thank you for your advice

I have not had one broody without laying their first egg nor heard of it, but it could be possible? All of mine who have gone broody (over 10 have many times) have always laid an egg beforehand.

 

[SamLockwood]

Are you sure she never leaves? They're pretty perceptive animals and they watch you more than you think. She may be sneaking off to do chicken things and only comes to the door when she either sees you moving in a window or feels / hears your footsteps.

That being said, make sure that food and water aren't by the door. Don't give treats anywhere near the door. I have the feeders and waterers in the chicken run, at least 20 feet from any of the house doors. I never give treats from the doorways or the back deck, but I go into the yard to distribute them (the side effect of this is anytime I set foot in the back yard is that the whole flock runs at me from wherever they are at the time).

Unless you want a "house chicken" don't encourage the behavior by letting them inside. Chickens will try to train you as much as you train them.

 

[BlueSoul]

Are you sure she never leaves? They're pretty perceptive animals and they watch you more than you think. She may be sneaking off to do chicken things and only comes to the door when she either sees you moving in a window or feels / hears your footsteps.

That being said, make sure that food and water aren't by the door. Don't give treats anywhere near the door. I have the feeders and waterers in the chicken run, at least 20 feet from any of the house doors. I never give treats from the doorways or the back deck, but I go into the yard to distribute them (the side effect of this is anytime I set foot in the back yard is that the whole flock runs at me from wherever they are at the time).

Unless you want a "house chicken" don't encourage the behavior by letting them inside. Chickens will try to train you as much as you train them.

I leave her alone but she just fallows me around, she does her own thing until I go in. She's currently in a crate beside our Saramas because she keeps getting inside.