On the nest for hours?

[papajoe]

Kinda new, is it normal for a hen that's been laying one egg daily for a month or so to suddenly just sit in the nest box? She's not that old and I did interrupt her normal laying time today, any ideas??

 

[LRH97]

It is possible that she may be broody. How long has she been on the nest? More than a day? What breed is she? Does she "growl"/puff up at you when you put your hand close to her? While it's not really common for a hen who has only been laying about a month to get the desire to set, it has happened to me before!

 

[papajoe]

Makes no noise, I think she's a buff or mix, only been on the nest for ~4 hrs.

 

[aart]

Just keep an eye on her....I've have some who seem to like to lounge in the nests for hours.

If she stay in the nest overnight and gets crabby, she may be broody.
If she's low hen she might be hiding.
She may be laying a big one or a soft one, that can throw them for a loop.

 

[papajoe]

aart.........Thanks, we'll follow your advice, we did have to persuade her to get out of the coop this morning so she's not locked on to the nest.

 

[LRH97]

Just keep an eye on her....I've have some who seem to like to lounge in the nests for hours.

If she stay in the nest overnight and gets crabby, she may be broody.
If she's low hen she might be hiding.
She may be laying a big one or a soft one, that can throw them for a loop.

X2. Keep us updated!

 

[papajoe]

Well, here's the update, the hen in question does not stay on the nest like before, but now the little hard head won't lay an egg! Been 6 days since she gave us an egg, but the other one is giving one daily whereas she was not consistent before, maybe they're just messin' with us......