Hi everyone, I haven't posted on here for a while, but I wonder if anyone can help with this. We have an 8 month Buff Orpington who has suddenly gone very quiet. Won't get out of her nest unless lifted, plods around for a while then goes back.
I wondered if she might be broody, so have moved her somewhere quiet. However, she is also shaking her head quite a bit and wiping her beak on the ground, so I'm now wondering if she might be poorly.
She might be poorly as you suspect, broodies have very distinctive behaviour when they want to sit...growling and fluffing up when you disturb them on the nest, plus they will have removed their breast feathers so they can have better contact with their eggs. If you place you hand gently underneath a broody hen they will often sort of wriggle around as if to move it into a better position (a very odd sensation! )
Wiping her beak may indicate she feels uncomfortable (sore sinuses) or has a discharge. If she is feeling listless as well might be an idea for a vet to take a look.
In the meantime, as the weather is warming up might be worth checking for redmite.. they can debilitate a hen so quickly this time of year!
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