Broody behavior in a Welsummer....

[Ebz5003]

I have a 9-10 month old Welsummer that is exhibiting some weird behavior....guessing that she has gone broody? Cornelia will at times sit om a nesting box full of eggs for HOURS and lay an egg herself. She growls, is hot, and pecks my hand if I try to reach under her to get the eggs. She will take several hour's break, then tonight, after dark, I went down to check on things and lock up and found her back on the nest!! There were no longer any eggs under her, either, lol. All other chickens had put themselves to bed already. Is this unusual behavior, or just typical of a broody? Also, is this typical of Welsummers? Wasn't aware they are typically broody or not. Is it a problem if she does this for hours/ overnight? Thanks.

 

[DobieLover]

Is this unusual behavior, or just typical of a broody?

She's broody.

Also, is this typical of Welsummers?

It is for that Wellie. ANY pullet/hen can go broody if her hormones and temperament are right for it.

Is it a problem if she does this for hours/ overnight?

It is if you don't intend for her to set.
If you don't want her to set she needs to be broken of her broodiness ASAP as being broody is very hard on their bodies.
If you do want her to set and hatch, you can move her to a more appropriate nest site to do so and once she is grafted tightly to the new site, you can give her hatching eggs all on the same day.

 

[Ebz5003]

She's broody.

It is for that Wellie. ANY pullet/hen can go broody if her hormones and temperament are right for it.

It is if you don't intend for her to set.
If you don't want her to set she needs to be broken of her broodiness ASAP as being broody is very hard on their bodies.
If you do want her to set and hatch, you can move her to a more appropriate nest site to do so and once she is grafted tightly to the new site, you can give her hatching eggs all on the same day.

Great to know. Thanks!