Broody Hen?

[Grashirl]

Hi All,
Since my last post, Poorly Hen, we are down to four. Poorly Hen died at night and we had a second hen put to sleep by a vet. Glad to report that all four remaining are very healthy. But one Hen has taken up residence in the nesting tray, as far as I can gather she doesn't move out during the day. I lift her out when I get in from work, for which she uses all of her bad hen language, and takes of like a rocket for the food tray, cussing as she goes. She has even taken to sleeping there. I am assuming that she is broody. This has coincided with the other hens refusing to lay, we have been on 2/3 eggs per day, but nothing for the last four days. Coincidence!! I am not sure what to think, any ideas out there.

 

[foxy]

Hen laying can be a bit up and down, laying largely depends on age, breed as well as time of year. The hen hogging the nest box does indeed sound broody! If they look well, eating and drinking and behaviour normal then I am sure they are fine.

 

[Chuck]

If she is broody and it seems like she is, you need to decide whether to take her off (encourage her to give up on being broody) or to let her continue. It will be in her best interest and yours to take her off as she will not lay any eggs in the broody state and they can get a bit run down if allowed to sit for too long.
Egg laying is very up & down this year I'm finding and a lot have gone into a moult.