Rhode island reds moody

[woodenfarm]

I have two Rhode island reds in our pack of 10 lovely ladies. The pass few day one of the two has became very aggressive screaming, fluffing up while in the nesting box all the others you can get eggs from underneath and touch. She will scream if you get to close and will try to bite you if you go for any eggs. The only time I have been able to get the eggs is right before they go up for the night she is out of the nest where most off the chickens decide to lay and every single egg is very warm.

Normal behavior and will it stay or will she snap out of it?

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

It sounds like she is broody. That means they want to hatch eggs. So if you are not planning on doing that, then make sure to get the eggs every day,or they will start incubating if they are fertile. Some people put them in cages and try to 'break' them, but I just leave them. She may stay on the best for months, or be done in a couple weeks.

 

[aart]

How old is she and how long has she been laying?
She sure does sound broody, but some birds spend time lounging in the nests.
Is she spending most the day and all night on the nest?

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

How old is she and how long has she been laying?
She sure does sound broody, but some birds spend time lounging in the nests.
Is she spending most the day and all night on the nest?

I don't think a bird lounging in a nest box would be screaming and pecking.

 

[aart]

I don't think a bird lounging in a nest box would be screaming and pecking.

Well, some can if you try to take eggs from under them.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Well, some can if you try to take eggs from under them.

I think if the chicken was worried about the eggs, then it would be broody. A chicken that just likes to sit in the nest box wouldn't be worried, and would probably jump out and run, when you got near.
Oh well, I guess it doesn't really matter, we both have our opinions!

 

[coach723]

Actually I think both can be true, it just depends on the particular hen. I have a couple that are very possessive and protective while on the nest until they are "done". They will squawk or growl and peck hard. Once they decide they are done, off they go. But if the bird is doing that and is not leaving the nest at all or only for a couple short periods each day then I would suspect broody. You can also feel low on her breast as see if the feathers feel thin or bare there, that will often indicate broody also. I usually break my broodys if I'm not going to let them sit because they don't eat and drink well while they are broody and often lose weight, can be terrorists to other birds looking for a nest box, and they won't start laying again while they are broody. I use a wire crate for breaking them, and while the term 'breaking them' sounds cruel, it's really not. You just don't give them a place to nest until they change their mind. The crate is in the run so she's not alone, everyone can see everyone, and she has food and water. Just no nesting materials of any kind, the crate is raised up on boards so she only has wire under her and air can circulate. Can be a day or two, or a week, depends on her level of determination. Once she stops fluffing up and growling at you it's time to try letting her out. If she goes back to the nest box and tries to sit again for more than 30 minutes or so, back to the crate for more time to change her mind. She should stay out with the flock if she's really done.

 

[aart]

I think if the chicken was worried about the eggs, then it would be broody. A chicken that just likes to sit in the nest box wouldn't be worried, and would probably jump out and run, when you got near.
Oh well, I guess it doesn't really matter, we both have our opinions!

Actually I think both can be true, it just depends on the particular hen.

Exactly. It really depends on the individual bird.....and sometimes how much they have been handled. If they are used to you reaching in the nest or picking them up, they will tolerate it with a fuss. Some never get used to it....broody or not.