Whats going on with my chicken?

[Jbird]

I have 2 Pekin Bantams - both 8 months old. They started laying at the beginning of December and have been doing very well. My concern is that it is now Friday evening, and one of them has only come out of the coup for 15mins in the morning and then gone straight back inside and stayed there until the next day, since last Saturday. She makes very strange noises at me when I go near her and she will not move from the egg laying area. When I did lift her out to give her some TLC, she wouldn't settle, was pacing the floor and seemed to be going slightly insane! She is also loving a plastic egg - does this mean she is simply broody or could there be more to it? I'm really starting to miss her, because she was the chicken of the two with the quirky character! Look forward to hearing from anyone who may be able to advise. Thanks in advance

[stompe]

Have they seen a packet of Paxo?

[ruthann58]

shes gone broody bless her and wants to sit

[Kleiber]

Yep - she's broody. Unusual at this time of year, but you'd best take any eggs from her and encourage her out to eat & drink every day. Do you have a male bird? Obviously, if not, any eggs won't be fertile, but if you do, then why not just let her sit?

[Jbird]

Thank you, you have both reassured me. We don't have a male, but should we take any eggs away as soon as possible anyway and just leave the fake one?
Also, just another quick question, when they sit together (prior to this recent episode) she has been pecking at her sisters neck to the point where, in one patch she is nearly bald when she stretches her neck. What can we do to stop this? We have removed her when we see it, but obviously we're not with them all the time

[Kleiber]

Take her eggs from under her every day and she'll eventually stop brooding. You have to make her go out to eat & drink every day. If you let her sit on a "pot" (artificial) egg, she could get frustrated as it won't hatch, so it's best just to remove any eggs that she lays (eat them, they're fine!) and she'll soon go off. As far as the pecking of her sister goes, I'm sorry but I can't help there. I'm assuming they've got plenty room to move about and aren't too cooped-up together (forgive the pun!)? K x

[Jbird]

No ,they have a coup big enough for 8 birds and they roam free range every day I'm home ( 4 days a week ). So, just to confirm, I should remove the fake egg?

[kitesurfer]

maybe chear them up. call them 'bird brains' and what not

this should soon get them chirpy


is one of them a ****?

[Kleiber]

Yes, I would if I were you, Jbird. Usually, you put a pot egg in to get the bird to go broody. If you leave it in there, she'll sit for about 3 weeks, trying to hatch it and then she'll just get out of condition and depressed because she hasn't got any chicks appear. Take it out and remove any eggs she lays daily. She'll soon give up and be back to normal. Good luck! K x
p.s. Ignore kitesurfer!

[Jbird]

Thank you so much - I will remove it tomorrow and try to remember to give you feedback x

[Kleiber]

Cheers! Good luck - it may take a few days, so be patient. K x

[sheribee]

Hi j bird x i have 2 pekins also, along with another 15 chickens and 2 indian runners lol x Pekins do go broody more often, its best to remove the eggs as soon as you find she has laid, otherwise she will just go broody again.
Or if you want to hatch some chicks u can buy ready fertile eggs, ebay is quite good, and pop them under her.
she wont like it for a few days after you remove the egg, and will cluck and hand around her nesting box but will get over it.
With regards to the feather pecking, it could be that she doesnt like sharing her nesting box with the other lady, you could try providing another one at the other side of the house for the other lady, Failing that just let them get on with it, she could be asserting her pecking order, that she is at the top. x

[juliacornwal]

Oh reading all this brings back such lovely memories - makes me wonder why I stopped keeping chickens ...Well it doesn't, actually, it was because try as hard as I could I couldn't keep the bl**dy fox out - but I remember all my chickens had such different and quirky personalities!
Sorry, this has nothing to do with the question, but it's a cold, Saturday afternoon and I wanted someone to talk to!!!!