I have a maiden hen who has a mate. The last time I saw them couple was feb 24 and about 3 days ago I noticed sje has an egg bum and saw a large poop the size of a penny. It seems each day she has been out of the box 2 or three times, has a comciderably larger than normal bm, a quick drink and snack. Them she goes back in the box. She is showing no signs of egg binding, but I'm going insane wondering of there are going to be any eggs laid. She stayed in the box all night last night for the first time. Right now she is out for her last night time break and was hopping back and forth in one spot like mad. Her sweetie gets quite beside himself when she is out... Tapping the box and gently herding her to it. Can anyone PLEASE tell me if she is going to lay or should I just give up and remove the box? (which she is back inside again now) this is driving me crazy!!!!

Hi Have you checked the nest box or signs of any eggs? If so being a maiden it

 

could be the avian equivalent of a false pregnancy. Or she could be reabsorbing

 

the eggs due to internal problems. You only get guesses as your info is a little

 

sparse. Removing the box wont cure her problem. Yours B.J.

Edited March 10, 201213 yr by Bird Junky

Sounds like she's ready to lay, she could look egg bummy for quite a while before she does lay. I wouldn't remove nest at this point as she would have nowhere to lay. Don't rush into doing anything, nature will take it's course just keep an eye on her and see she doesn't look ill etc. when she does lay she should lay alternate days until she's completed her clutch.

Did she lay

I had a budgie herding the female to the nestbox.

 

Then she layed.