Two Questions - HUGE Poop and a Broody....

[GemmaGA]

So, one of my gold laced wyandottes seems to be Broody - but not consistently? For about 3 days straight, she didn't want to get out of the nesting box and showed typical broody behavior (i think) even though she didn't have any eggs to sit on. I tried giving her one of the other girls eggs but she wasn't interested. She's stopped staying in the nesting box - for now.

Second question - since she started acting broody I have noticed some HUUUUUUGE chicken poop, both in the run of the coop and in the yard when I let them free range. Like egg sized poop....I don't know who's doing it but I was wondering if it's related to the broody-ness or if it's something else to be worried about?

I don't think the broody Miss is laying any eggs, only 2 of my 4 who have been laying are still laying currently. I am guessing that is due to the crappy winter weather and less sunlight/lots of overcast days here.

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

 

[PioneerChicks]

Sounds like she is broody! Broodies don't like to poop on their eggs, so they hold their poops inside of them, and then release huge plops outside of the nesting box. Don't worry, it's completely normal! Also, I'm proud to find another friend who monitors their chicken's poop!

 

[GemmaGA]

Sounds like she is broody! Broodies don't like to poop on their eggs, so they hold their poops inside of them, and then release huge plops outside of the nesting box. Don't worry, it's completely normal! Also, I'm proud to find another friend who monitors their chicken's poop!

Thanks! I feel much better knowing that this isn't something to be worried about. And believe me, this poop is so huge it's hard not to monitor it! LOL My husband thinks I am way too involved with what my chickens do, and told me I was worrying too much over poop. He has nicknamed me 'The Chicken Whisperer'

I want to give her another shot at hatching a couple eggs maybe if she's tending towards broody-ness, because I think the babies will be ADORABLE! My rooster is a black cochin bantam with blue splash feathers - but I don't know who's eggs are who (I have a couple others that lay brown eggs - Australorp and another GLW). Either way, still think babies will be beautiful crosses.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Thanks! I feel much better knowing that this isn't something to be worried about. And believe me, this poop is so huge it's hard not to monitor it! LOL My husband thinks I am way too involved with what my chickens do, and told me I was worrying too much over poop. He has nicknamed me 'The Chicken Whisperer'

I want to give her another shot at hatching a couple eggs maybe if she's tending towards broody-ness, because I think the babies will be ADORABLE! My rooster is a black cochin bantam with blue splash feathers - but I don't know who's eggs are who (I have a couple others that lay brown eggs - Australorp and another GLW). Either way, still think babies will be beautiful crosses.

I'd love to see what happens!

 

[rosemarythyme]

She's probably on the fence about being broody, so if you're wanting to hatch I'd keep an eye on her and make sure she sits a few days and accepts some fake/unfertilized eggs before slipping actual eggs under her.

The poop sounds like a broody poop for sure, they hold it in so they don't soil the nest, then drop a massive one when they get up to eat and drink.