Door blocker

[chickenfan]

I have a three year old Araucana who has seemed mild-natured up to now, but has begun blocking the entrance to the house from the other 5 hens at night, pecking them as they try to come in, and pecking a young Faverolles during the night. I have temporarily removed her from the house, but wonder what has made her like this. She has laid only two eggs all year, which is also a puzzle, although she looks well. A Plymouth Rock seems to be following suit on the door blocking. Perhaps I should move the pair of them to another group of hens?

 

[chrismahon]

She may be going broody Chickenfan and is securing her accommodation for her and her chicks? We get this behaviour with the TNN's -first time we've had it is this year and they are three now.

 

[chickenfan]

I've been watching my Araucana hen but can't see any signs of going broody, and she is not in lay. Strange she hasn't really laid all year. The other birds are all a year younger. Perhaps if I put a cockerel in the group it will settle things down.