- Apr 25, 2010
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I have a Plymouth Rock hen that I have had since March as a bittie. I also have 2 other chickens, both hens, same ages, one is a White Rock and one is a RIR. They have been laying eggs for a few months now and are about 9 months old. I have a nice 10x10 coop and I have a fenced in back yard (1 acre) that they free range in during the day. They have always went back to the nesting box in the coop to lay their eggs and then they go back in the yard until night time. Of course when darkness falls, they go back and get up high to roost side by side.
Problem:
Today my Plymouth Rock has been in the coop ALL DAY in the nesting box. She is just sitting on the eggs that are in there and we typically collect them in the afternoon. We cant collect them because she will not get off of them. I have read up on Broody chickens and she is exhibiting some of the signs and symptoms. She was making some weird noises yesterday in the yard that were not typical. Today my wife said she has been in the box all day and when my wife gets close to her she starts her high pitched cackle. Tonight when my other hens went in the coop to roost, she is still sitting in the nest box which has never happened.
Should I be concerned or just let her be?
If so, how do I go about getting the eggs without upsetting her?
Can a hen go broody with no rooster around?
What about ensuring she is eating and drinking?
This just started today so obviously we are concerned and fairly new to chickens so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Problem:
Today my Plymouth Rock has been in the coop ALL DAY in the nesting box. She is just sitting on the eggs that are in there and we typically collect them in the afternoon. We cant collect them because she will not get off of them. I have read up on Broody chickens and she is exhibiting some of the signs and symptoms. She was making some weird noises yesterday in the yard that were not typical. Today my wife said she has been in the box all day and when my wife gets close to her she starts her high pitched cackle. Tonight when my other hens went in the coop to roost, she is still sitting in the nest box which has never happened.
Should I be concerned or just let her be?
If so, how do I go about getting the eggs without upsetting her?
Can a hen go broody with no rooster around?
What about ensuring she is eating and drinking?
This just started today so obviously we are concerned and fairly new to chickens so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.