WHY IS MY HEN ACTING THIS Way?

[NewChickenmama06]

I have a 4 and a half year old Black Star hen who is acting like she has chicks. She puffs up if anyone gets near her while she is calling these phantom chicks. She even sits in the nesting box acting all nasty, which she has never done before. This all started after on of my Australorp hens went broody and hatch 3 adorable chicks. Thats when my Black Star started acting like a mama. Anyone else have this happen or does anyone know why she is doing this??

 

[21hens-incharge]

Being broody seems to be contagious.

 

[NewChickenmama06]

Being broody seems to be contagious.

That's the thing, she isn't broody. She doesn't sit in the nesting box long, just to lay an egg, this is why I'm so puzzled by how she is acting.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I am still thinking she is being hormonally affected.
Maybe not fully broody but a bit out of balance for her breed.

 

[NewChickenmama06]

I am still thinking she is being hormonally affected.
Maybe not fully broody but a bit out of balance for her breed.

Ok, thanks! Its just so funny to watch her. Lol

 

[21hens-incharge]

They are pretty entertaining for sure!
Several years ago I had 9 Australorp broody at once with just 6 nests. No one else could get in to lay!

 

[NewChickenmama06]

They are pretty entertaining for sure!
Several years ago I had 9 Australorp broody at once with just 6 nests. No one else could get in to lay!

Welp, its official, my Black Star Hen went broody right next to the hen who hatched chicks 4 weeks ago lol

 

[21hens-incharge]

Welp, its official, my Black Star Hen went broody right next to the hen who hatched chicks 4 weeks ago lol

Are you going to let her hatch any chicks?

 

[NewChickenmama06]

Are you going to let her hatch any chicks?

I think so, she seems to really want to be a mama hen.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I do hope that if you allow her to hatch chicks you post about it.

While rare for a production breed to go broody it's not impossible. I read about a leghorn hatching chicks out successfully. It can be done!

I have a California White that went broody just once. She would have sat long enough to hatch but I had no fertile eggs to give her.

I certainly look forward to hearing how it goes.