Chicken staying in coop making strange noises

[Sushiru]

Hi!
We have a hen (brahma) who has been acting strange the last couple days. She stays in the coop and makes a very concerning sound (like a yell or scream) whenever I or another chicken approaches. I’ve considered that she’s just guarding the eggs, but I’m honestly concerned that it’s more about the other chickens attacking her.

She’s been lowest on the pecking order for a while, and has always been the most gentle/comfortable around humans. Because of this, she doesn’t seem to stand up for herself when they attack, and now it feels like she’s staying in the coop out of fear.

Is there anything we can do so she can walk around freely again? How can I help her?

 

[azygous]

That "scream" you mentioned sounds like a broody scream. When you take her off the nest, does she emit a rapid popping sound? Does she puff up before the scream? Does she run right back to the nest after you remove her?

Your hen may be broody, and that means her hormones are dictating she sit on eggs for the next three weeks. You may wish to place fertilized eggs under her, or you may wish to stop the broody process by breaking her in a broody cage.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

How old is she?
Is she laying?