adandsar Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 I have only been a chicken keeper for 6 months. I have two in an eglu. For the last few days one of the chickens sits/lays very regularly in her bed and it is difficult to get her out of it. WHen I lift her out she is very quiet (unsual for her) and when I put he on the grass she eats, drinks and runs around. But she is more nervous that normal, runs from area to area, and keeps standing tall and puffing her fur and her wings. Also is single clucking more regularly. She appears fine. But is acting differently to normal. I am worried her her, especially as I am about to go on holidau and have someone else looking after her. IS anyone familaiar with this ? Can you help ? please HELLO AGAIN, just reading through the other forums - do you think she might be broody? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Hello, That was what I was wondering, but no expert. Welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Hello and welcome! When you lift her out does she fluff up and growl or purr at you? If you didn't turf her out would she stay there all day long? And is she stuffing hers and the other hens eggs under her once they're laid? If she's doing any of those things then I'd say she was going broody. They also attempt to get back onto the nest at EVERY opportunity in my experience and if they can't will try and make a nest somewhere. If it is that then it would be a good idea to try and break it before you go away, what sort of hen is she as some breeds are more prone to broodiness than others. If she's an Omlet hybrid I'd say it was less likely that she was broody. BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adandsar Posted April 24, 2009 Author Share Posted April 24, 2009 Hello and welcome! When you lift her out does she fluff up and growl or purr at you? If you didn't turf her out would she stay there all day long? And is she stuffing hers and the other hens eggs under her once they're laid? If she's doing any of those things then I'd say she was going broody. They also attempt to get back onto the nest at EVERY opportunity in my experience and if they can't will try and make a nest somewhere. If it is that then it would be a good idea to try and break it before you go away, what sort of hen is she as some breeds are more prone to broodiness than others. If she's an Omlet hybrid I'd say it was less likely that she was broody. BeckyBoo Hi BeckBoo - thanks When you lift her out does she fluff up and growl or purr at you? YES she fluffs up and is very docile, doesn't want to put her legs down (until I put her on hte grass then she runs off) If you didn't turf her out would she stay there all day long? Probably - I am am work so am only noticing that when I get home she doesn't come out and see me, and I turf her out and within 10 mins she lays back down again And is she stuffing hers and the other hens eggs under her once they're laid? YES! They also attempt to get back onto the nest at EVERY opportunity in my experience and if they can't will try and make a nest somewhere. YES I read that dunking her in cold water may help, her underbelly is VERY WARM. And perhaps we should close the door during the day so she can't go back to her bed. She is a Fenning Black didn't get her from omlet, got her from a local chicken keeper. Thanks for your advise, it does sound like this is what is happening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Sounds broody to me. Have a read of this article **clicketty click** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Yup, sounds like a broody hen to me Can be the bane of your life!! Hope you get her sorted, a broody hen when you don't want a broody hen is a pain in the proverbial! At least she's not sick, so if you can't fix it before you go away you'll just come back to a few rancid eggs where she's sat on them, and she'll be a bit underweight. Good luck and enjoy your holiday BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adandsar Posted April 24, 2009 Author Share Posted April 24, 2009 thanks, luckily I will have someone looking after them, its just that they'll have a bit more work to do with her! Thanks very much for you advise, its a worry off my ind to know shes not ill. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adandsar Posted April 24, 2009 Author Share Posted April 24, 2009 Sounds broody to me. Have a read of this article **clicketty click** Thanks for the link, very interesting, i'll try these things tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
