- Jan 26, 2011
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I have 11 hens and one rooster (mix of easter eggers, sussex, and golden-laced wyandotte). One hen appears to be getting broody. She is in the nest box a lot, does not want to get out. She appears to have a brood patch on her chest/belly.
However, there are two weird things that make me wonder what she is doing and whether it's harmful: first, she will sit there regardless of whether or not there are any eggs (we collect once or twice a day); and second, she may be laying eggs. I have 2 olive-green layers, and she is one of them, and I've collected 2 olives/day, so i am thinking she is still laying. This behavior has been going on all week, I am new to chickens, so I knew about broodiness from my book, but haven't seen it in real life, so I was a little slow, plus it's not unusual for my girls to sit on the nest for a half-hour or more while I am down there (thinking about laying I suppose).
Anyway, I am wondering if this is true broodiness? Or is she trying to accumulate her eggs to then brood them?
So far, I have been closing up the nest boxes at night to prevent her from sleeping there, and moving her off the nest a couple times a day. She seems to be eating and drinking, and taking a bit of time off the nest to explore/scratch around. Any suggestions for what I should do or what I should expect from her? Any harm in letting her continue with this? I probably can seclude her, but it would be a huge pain.
thanks!
However, there are two weird things that make me wonder what she is doing and whether it's harmful: first, she will sit there regardless of whether or not there are any eggs (we collect once or twice a day); and second, she may be laying eggs. I have 2 olive-green layers, and she is one of them, and I've collected 2 olives/day, so i am thinking she is still laying. This behavior has been going on all week, I am new to chickens, so I knew about broodiness from my book, but haven't seen it in real life, so I was a little slow, plus it's not unusual for my girls to sit on the nest for a half-hour or more while I am down there (thinking about laying I suppose).
Anyway, I am wondering if this is true broodiness? Or is she trying to accumulate her eggs to then brood them?
So far, I have been closing up the nest boxes at night to prevent her from sleeping there, and moving her off the nest a couple times a day. She seems to be eating and drinking, and taking a bit of time off the nest to explore/scratch around. Any suggestions for what I should do or what I should expect from her? Any harm in letting her continue with this? I probably can seclude her, but it would be a huge pain.
thanks!
