[thechicken]

One of our chickens appears to be perfectly well and then all of a sudden has a funny spell where she will run round in circles and invariably just sit down and gives the impression that her legs have just given. Give her a few minutes and you would think that nothing has happened. She invariably has these spells after laying.
Any thoughts as to what we should do?   

[ANHBUC]

Had a little search online, not much information.  Suggestions were to check their sight, broodiness and one hen had a small stick/twig stuck in its beak.   

[thechicken]

Can somebody explain broodiness to me as she does spend time in the nestingbox when she is not laying - so could be the reason. If so how do I stop?

[ANHBUC]

They spend more and more time in the nest box and will growl, puff themselves up and peck at you if you try to move them.  When fully broody they pluck their breast feathers off (so that they have full contact with the eggs).  You can either wait for them to come out of it themselves, put fertile eggs under her for hatching (you could end up with all cockerels though) or make sure she is not allowed in the nest box for most of the day.  Most people end up having to put them in a broody box (eg. a dog cage) which has a mesh base to keep their underside cool.  Make sure if you do that she has food and water and is sheltered from the weather. 

[joyfull]

take a look here for ways to stop a broody hen 

[thechicken]

Thanks for all your help. Unfortunately it must have been more serious as Marjorie went to sleep in the afternoon sun never to wake up! Oh so missing her!

[ANHBUC]

   So sorry Marjorie didn't make it.  They are really good at hiding any illness but it sounds like she slipped away peacefully in a sunny spot. 

[thechicken]

Thanks! It is still hard to believe she was running around on Thursday but there you go