[chasechicken]

Hi all,

A friend's hen hasn't been quite right the past couple of days.  She spent all of yesterday in the nest box sitting on eggs (one was hers) and then again today started in there (yesterday's eggs had been removed but today was back on some.)

Moved her out and shut off access, she is now perching and gets very big and defensive when we put our hand in and pecks out aggressively.

Then the squawking begins!

Have tried feeding her and giving water but she just gets angry.

My only concern in assuming she is broody is that we're missing something else.. but I can't say she seems ill.

If you all agree she IS broody (no pressure) then I will maybe try the bottom dunking in water although if she's not in the nest box anymore not sure what use that would be...

Look forward to your thoughts :-)

[ehs284]

Yes;  if you think it's too cold for dunking, just keep her separate for a while.

[jinty1911]

She seems to be.  Don't know if the bottom dunking works as mine happily settled in snow and I think it's to cold for cage method (was blowing a gale here today).  I just lock them out of the house completely and if I see them sitting somewhere all nice and cosy I move them as often as I can. They grumble but have never pecked me yet 

[chasechicken]

Thanks all - have commenced (non water related) discouragement...!