On the nest

[outbackshoe]

I have two Rhode Island Red hens and two Golden Laced Wyandotte hens, and one RI rooster. All are the same age - 1.50 yr. The hens have been laying regular for about 5 months. Last week one of the Wyandotte will not leave the laying box. I collect the 4 eggs under her daily but she fights. Rooster is not very happy either.

How long will this last? What should I do differently? Should I expect the other hens to do the same, since the rooster is in the flock?

 

[TheKochs]

I'm still new, but I think your hen is broody. I've heard that not all hens have that "gene" but I have one that broods and she does it off and one for about a month at a time. Sorry if I'm not much help, but I thought I'd tell you what I do know. Good Luck

 

[deeschicks19]

I too have 3 that are brooding. And I don't have a rooster. One of the girls has been brooding for over a month now and starting to look really bad the other two have been doing this for about 2 weeks. So I finally got some eggs from guy down the street that are fertilized put them under them. I don't know if this is going to help or be worse. But I hate to see them just sit there for no reason and even end up dying. They are all wyandottes too.