Is this a Broody Hen?

[Lujangut]

Hi all!

One of my silkies hen has been inside of the coop most of the day yesterday - I thought maybe she was laying her first egg, although I thought she had already started laying.

Today she didn’t leave her coop at all. When I went to check in on her I found her alert, but just kinda in a broody position with her wings lowered to her sides. When I lifted her, I found an egg underneath her. I moved her away to check her out and she wouldn’t walk much, but then suddenly she started walking normally. She was shivering a little bit for a moment, but otherwise seemed fine. I put her back inside of the coop and she went back to her “broody” position.

Does it looks like she is trying to hatch an egg? I started Corid just in case, but I’m a little worried for her.

It’s my first time having chickens so I would love to hear what do you guys think.

Thank you so much

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi all!

One of my silkies hen has been inside of the coop most of the day yesterday - I thought maybe she was laying her first egg, although I thought she had already started laying.

Today she didn’t leave her coop at all. When I went to check in on her I found her alert, but just kinda in a broody position with her wings lowered to her sides. When I lifted her, I found an egg underneath her. I moved her away to check her out and she wouldn’t walk much, but then suddenly she started walking normally. She was shivering a little bit for a moment, but otherwise seemed fine. I put her back inside of the coop and she went back to her “broody” position.

Does it looks like she is trying to hatch an egg? I started Corid just in case, but I’m a little worried for her.

It’s my first time having chickens so I would love to hear what do you guys think.

Thank you so much

What's her poop like?

Possible she's going broody, but if she's just now come into lay, had a hard time walking when you first moved her and was shivering, I'd lean more toward her not feeling well.

Look her over for lice/mites, see that her crop is emptying overnight.

Keep her hydrated. I'd give her a little sugar water to see if she perks up at all.

Corid won't hurt, but make sure you are giving the correct dosing, I'll post that below.

What do you feed, including treats? Do you provide oyster shell free choice?

Liquid Corid dose is 2tsp or Powdered Corid Dose is 1 1/2tsp per gallon of water given for 5-7 days as the only source of drinking water.
Do not add any extra vitamins/electrolytes that contain B1(Thiamine) to food or water during the course of treatment.

 

[Pigeony]

Are you sure the egg under her was hers, any chance she's eggbound? She might be in the nestbox all day because she's just desperate to pass an egg, if she seems lethargic with some difficulty walking. More likely to happen when first beginning to lay too, with the reproductive system still working out the kinks.

 

[Lujangut]

What's her poop like?

Possible she's going broody, but if she's just now come into lay, had a hard time walking when you first moved her and was shivering, I'd lean more toward her not feeling well.

Look her over for lice/mites, see that her crop is emptying overnight.

Keep her hydrated. I'd give her a little sugar water to see if she perks up at all.

Corid won't hurt, but make sure you are giving the correct dosing, I'll post that below.

What do you feed, including treats? Do you provide oyster shell free choice?

Liquid Corid dose is 2tsp or Powdered Corid Dose is 1 1/2tsp per gallon of water given for 5-7 days as the only source of drinking water.
Do not add any extra vitamins/electrolytes that contain B1(Thiamine) to food or water during the course of treatment.

Thank you for your reply.
Her poop looks normal and healthy, she had a bit of a poopy butt so I cleaned her and checked her for lice and mites. She seems okay on that -

I give them organic chicken feed from Mile four, oyster shells here and there - they go through it pretty quick.
I give them some fruits and veggies for treats. Sometimes some bread, but not a lot.

I’ll keep an eye on her tomorrow and give her some sugar water.

Yesterday she got stuck in btw my yard sprinklers and got a bit wet, but dried out okay since it was sunny and very warm. Thought of mentioning it just in case

Thank you again!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Keep me posted on how she's doing.

When you get a chance, get some poop photos.

 

[Lujangut]

Are you sure the egg under her was hers, any chance she's eggbound? She might be in the nestbox all day because she's just desperate to pass an egg, if she seems lethargic with some difficulty walking. More likely to happen when first beginning to lay too, with the reproductive system still working out the kinks.

I can’t tell if it was hers or my other silkie. I’ve been trying to figure out if she’s laying just yet or not. What should I do if she’s trying to pass an egg? Maybe she’s egg bound.
After I took her out of the coop she seemed to walk okay. Should I help her out tomorrow if she doesn’t come out?

 

[Pigeony]

I can’t tell if it was hers or my other silkie. I’ve been trying to figure out if she’s laying just yet or not. What should I do if she’s trying to pass an egg? Maybe she’s egg bound.
After I took her out of the coop she seemed to walk okay. Should I help her out tomorrow if she doesn’t come out?

From your previous reply, you said that she's pooping okay, which would mean she isn't egg bound. Egg bound hens have difficulty with that being that the egg would be blocking their vent.

 

[Lujangut]

From your previous reply, you said that she's pooping okay, which would mean she isn't egg bound. Egg bound hens have difficulty with that being that the egg would be blocking their vent.

Yesterday after I finished cleaning her and checking her up, she took a big healthy poop in front of me - so I know that she’s alright in terms of that. She also walked away okay as well, but went back to the same position as soon as I put her back in the coop. I am waiting to see if she steps out now that is daylight

 

[Coops Dad]

She's a silkie who's obstinately sticking to her nest. The broodiest of chickens acting broody.

She's almost 99.999% certainly broody.

 

[Lujangut]

She's a silkie who's obstinately sticking to her nest. The broodiest of chickens acting broody.

She's almost 99.999% certainly broody.

Aweee this makes me feel happy. I had her and my other silkie for half a year so I wasn’t familiar with their behavior. She is out and about now, nothing seems to be bugging her