Disturbing hen on nest. Can she delay laying?

[PaintedMeadows]

My son and I went to check eggs and Scuttlebutt was on her nest. Then she pushed stuff around, squawked a bit and left right behind us. If we disturbed her getting ready to lay then will she hold off and lay later or can they do that? She is a new layer.

 

[gritsar]

I've disturbed mine from time to time. What usually happens is I will go to let them out while a hen is on the nest. She'll leave the nest and run out the door with the others just to make sure she's not missing out on a treat or something. She goes back to the nest after a short while and takes care of business.

 

[PaintedMeadows]

Whew. OK. Thanks. My son just came running in and said she is on the nest again so I will go check later. Oh the stresses these little sweeties put us though.

 

[lowcountrypoultry]

Mine always do that when I sneak up on them.

They always go back after about 5 mins.

 

[mrandmrschicken]

I have a new pullet that I thought might be sitting on an egg and she was. I added a few more eggs to see what she would do. She got up and after 30 minutes was still not back to sitting.

Can I leave the eggs in there for a while to see if she will sit?

I wouldn't say she is broody but she did peck my finger several times which is unlike her.

 

[swtangel321]

They dont like to be watched !!! Some of mine do the same, some dont mind me in the coop while laying !!!

 

[ams3651]

My RIR girls get to squawlking when I disturb them, youd think I walked in on them in the shower. But they go back in a few minutes. My EE's will usually stay sitting but I dont think they actually lay till I leave.

 

[PaintedMeadows]

Thanks folks. she went back and laid her egg so I guess she likes her privacy.

I love these characters!

 

[eggsontoast]

Quote:
Love the line about the shower. Mine do that when they're squacking and I open the back door...they all freeze in place and have that "deer in the headlights" look. So funny.