One hen sits on several eggs, won't let me collect them

[BarbC]

I have six girls, no rooster. The last couple of days one of the hens will sit in the nesting box that the majority of girls use and when I try to get her to move she pecks at me. Why is she doing this all of a sudden and what can I do to change that behavior?

 

[Granny Hatchet]

She has gone broody even without a rooster. LOL to break broody try her in a wire cage for a couple days. Silkies are good for that.. what breed is she ? As long as she is not sick and you dont mention that then I am sure this would be the problem.

 

[sourland]

granny nailed it = you have a broody hen. Try granny's proposed solution to break her.

 

[BarbC]

They're all Rhode Island Reds...when I open the door to their yard to let them wander the backyard, they all usually come running. Tonight, she stayed in the coop and wouldn't budge. This is my first time raising chickens, so I'm not so sure I'd know what to look for when it comes to the being sick...but I finally nudged her out of the nest, collected the eggs and then she proceeded to stand up, look in the nest and hop back up instead of heading out to the yard.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

you would notice her being "off". bubbles in eyes, coughing, not eating , ect... she just sounds broody to me. rir, dont go broody often but they can.