Perplexed about Wendigo

[Barb Root Hinkkanen]

Wendigo has still not laid, in over a week. She is not egg bound; she is not molting; she is eating; but, barely leaves the egg laying area. She has been sitting on the other eggs. Her pooh is normal. She has had extra calcium, vitamins, and electrolytes. She has had worm medicine. The coop is clean and has been dusted with dme. The weather has changed; it is getting dark earlier; but, what is going one with my girlie? I only have two hens...

 

[azygous]

The shorter days will affect some hens sooner than others. My guess is she's ready for winter break. Please tell us how old your hen is and where your geographical location is so we have a few clues.

 

[aart]

She has been sitting on the other eggs.

Like most the day and all night?
She may be broody....or hiding in the nest because she doesn't feel well, due to molting or illness.

 

[Barb Root Hinkkanen]

The shorter days will affect some hens sooner than others. My guess is she's ready for winter break. Please tell us how old your hen is and where your geographical location is so we have a few clues.

Wendigo is 16 months old. We live in South Mississippi. It is still very hot here and the days are getting shorter. It is still up in the 90s during the day and still in the upper 70s during the nights.

 

[PirateGirl]

If she is spending lots of time in the egg laying area but not laying, she may be broody.

What does she do if you try to pick her up and put her outside?

Does she peck you? Is she friendly? Does she make noise? Is she fluffed up? Does she return to the eggs she was sitting on after a quick drink/snack? Does she stay outside and act normal?

 

[Barb Root Hinkkanen]

If she is spending lots of time in the egg laying area but not laying, she may be broody.

What does she do if you try to pick her up and put her outside?

Does she peck you? Is she friendly? Does she make noise? Is she fluffed up? Does she return to the eggs she was sitting on after a quick drink/snack? Does she stay outside and act normal?

She pecked at me once, but it was when I startled her. If I take her outside, she eats a bit, scratches the ground then goes back to the coop. She is very sweet.

 

[Barb Root Hinkkanen]

She pecked at me once, but it was when I startled her. If I take her outside, she eats a bit, scratches the ground then goes back to the coop. She is very sweet.

She has fluffed up, not constantly.

 

[PirateGirl]

sounds like she may be going broody

 

[Barb Root Hinkkanen]

She has fluffed up, not constantly.

Wendigo still hasn't laid, but I think she is broody. She lets me pick her up and I walk around with her and put her down away from the coop. She will cluck for mealy worms and scratch around then head back to the coop. She is also just starting to molt. I guess this is all normal. It's the first time I have had to deal with a broody hen. As long as she is okay, I am happy.

Penelope is doing great; laying every day, and now she is even eating out of my hand!

 

[aart]

She is also just starting to molt.

Don't think a molting hen will go broody...but they can act lethargic and isolate themselves, sometimes in a nest.
They also don't particularly like to be touched/picked up, those pin feathers can be 'uncomfortable'...and you don't want to break a pin feather they can bleed like hell, why they are also called 'blood feathers'.