Orpington won't leave the nest!

[technolaser]

Hi everyone.

Amongst my 8 hens (no roosters) I have a one year old Orpington who was laying normally and suddenly (about 10 days ago) refused to leave a nesting box. She won't even get off to eat or drink. I try to make sure that there are no eggs for any length of time, but it makes no difference. I've also tried picking her up and depositing her in various places but she simply runs back to the box.

I can't prevent access to the boxes as the others want to lay. Even if I do that for 10 minutes, she stands at the door and gets more and more agitated.

Any suggestions welcome.

TIA.

 

[fluffycrow]

Sounds like a broody to me. Does she puff up and growl when you get near her, and "deflates", looking more like a flat pancake when you or other hens aren't near her? It sounds like you don't wish to have a broody right now, so it's best to break her.



Do you have any dog kennels you could use? You could use a wire dog crate, lifted off the ground so air can flow underneath it, and keep her in there (with food and water, no nesting material or anything blocking the airflow) for a few days, which should do the trick

Article 'Broody Breaking ala aart' https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/broody-breaking-ala-aart.77915/

 

[technolaser]

Thanks! I'll give it a try.