'Sleepy' chicken...Has anyone ever had one?

Let me begin by stating that my chicken has seen a vet, and the vet cannot find a single thing wrong with her...

she is a two year old New Hampshire that I purchased from a local poultry farmer about a month ago. she has given only one egg since being with me. I have four hens, all free range and fed appropriately. 'Ruthie' acts like a normal chicken...and then falls asleep...or at least acts that way. she will either remain standing, or hunker down and close her eyes for about 2-3 minutes, sometimes a bit longer, then get up and resume cleaning her feathers, drinking her water, foraging or playing. I dont understand. Has anyone ever had a chicken like this? She is HEALTHY and does not appear to be egg-bound [as the vet says]. Again, the vet cannot find a single thing wrong with her...'picture of health'. what is going on? Is this a sign of simply being broody? THANK YOU in advance!!

?2012-07-15T18:36:49Z

Favorite Answer

Two years old is when a lot of hens start not laying as many eggs as they used to, and not all hens sleep on roost at night, so your hen is probably just fine. It may just be her nature!