Silke Hen-Somethings wrong-NEW PICS!

[TundraChick]

My Silke hen is on her nest and has been for hours. I went out to check and she didn't even look up at me. She is all fluffed up and I can find anything wrong. She "cries" in discomfort if I try to pick her up. She has been fine. Eating fine, poop is fine. She may be straining as I notice her vent pushes out. I haven't noticed a decrease in eggs and don't feel anything in her abdomen. Maybe she is egg bound. What are the symptoms for that...otherwise I dont know

 

[cristina33]

Is she broody?

 

[silkiechicken]

I think your hen has a terrible disease, it's called being broody.

Ok, it's not a disease. It's all hormonal. Sounds exactally like what a broody does.

 

[TundraChick]

Do they puff up when they are broody??

 

[Chellester]

Yup- she's a-broody. All the classic symptoms.

 

[TundraChick]

phew! Is that all! Geeze it looks scarry!

 

[TundraChick]

So if she is broody and I remove her from the nest, shouldn't she go back to the nest? She just sits wherever I put her down.

 

[speckledhen]

Not always. My broody Buff Orp would just sit when I took her off the nest and put her down outside. She'd stay like that for a few minutes then get up and scream like a banshee and pick a fight with someone.

 

[SpottedCrow]

They turn into a fluffed up screaming pancake...Silkies have a tendency to go broody at a predetermined, by them anyways, time...

 

[TundraChick]

Thanks everyone, I only have two hens laying now I won't have enough eggs for my breakfast! The others won't lay till spring...