Will broody pullets still lay?

[jwyles]

All my chickens are around 6 months old give or take a few weeks. To my knowledge only one has started to lay. She is a bantam Cochin and she layed consistently for 2 weeks but has now started acting broody. She sits on the fake eggs in the nesting boxes and has even plucked her feathers out on her belly. Since she's gone broody; however, I've found two eggs. They do look slightly different than hers, a little larger and a little lighter in color, but not enough so that I can be sure. None of my other girls are squatting or acting like she did when she started to lay. My question is could these eggs be coming from her? Do broody hens still lay? Or is it more likely someone else laying these eggs? TIA for any assistance!

 

[AlleysChicks]

Broodies do not lay. You probably have a new layer or 2.

 

[sourland]

Someone else has started laying. Broody hens do not lay.

 

[jwyles]

Thank y'all. That's what I was thinking but wanted to run it by someone before I got too excited. So I guess chickens don't always start squatting as soon as they start laying them right?

 

[sourland]

Correct on the 'squatting'. Some birds never do so - especially if there is a rooster in the flock.

 

[jwyles]

Correct on the 'squatting'. Some birds never do so - especially if there is a rooster in the flock.

Thank you!

 

[aart]

Is cochin staying on nest at night and exhibiting broody behavior(screaming/biting/pancake flat)??
Might want to break her broodiness sooner rather than later.


Might want to do a 'Butt Check' on other pullets.
Vent Appearance:
Dry, tight, and smaller - usually not laying.
Moist, wide, and larger - usually laying.

Pelvic Points, feel for the 2 bony points(pelvic bones F-F) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.
(Spacing is relative with chickens size and humans finger size.)

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed with Aart. Unless you are prepared for the disruption of hatching chicks and raising chicks this time of year, I'd break her.

 

[jwyles]

Agreed with Aart. Unless you are prepared for the disruption of hatching chicks and raising chicks this time of year, I'd break her.

I don't have a roo so I was just letting her be. And @aart u would say she is exhibiting broody behavior to a t and to the best of my knowledge. This is my first ever flick of chickens so I am learning behaviors as I go. I don't mind her being broody but if it's bad for her in some way I'll stop it. But I got my girls as much for the experience as the eggs so I don't mind seeing her all fluffed up in her nest. I find it adorable actually. I really just wanted to be sure my understanding of broodiness and egg laying was correct. Btw my girl isn't mean while on the nest and she does get off for short periods a couple tims a day to I guess go potty and eat. Thank you for all the details on how to tell whose laying.

 

[lazy gardener]

Allowing a hen to stay broody sends her deeper into the hormonal abyss. Generally, being broody costs a lot in terms of physical condition to the bird. So, the sooner you break her, the easier, and also better for her overall health.