Here's a strange hen story based on common behaviors observed in chickens:
The Tale of Henrietta
Henrietta was a peculiar hen in a small backyard flock. She had a habit of becoming broody, which meant she would sit on eggs for extended periods, even though they were unfertilized. This behavior was not unusual for her breed, but what was strange was her persistence. She would hiss and peck at anyone who tried to move her from the nest box, protecting her imaginary chicks with fierce dedication.
One day, Henrietta decided to take her broodiness to the
next level. She began to hide eggs in secret locations around the yard, a
behavior known as egg-hiding, which is common among hens trying to protect
their eggs from predators or humans. However, Henrietta's hiding spots were so
clever that even the most seasoned chicken keepers couldn't find them.
As time passed, Henrietta's behavior became more erratic.
She started pacing back and forth near her favorite hiding spots, a sign of
stress or anxiety. Her flock mates noticed this change and began to avoid her,
fearing her aggressive pecking if they approached her nest.
Despite her odd behavior, Henrietta remained a beloved
member of the flock. Her owners decided to let her continue her broody ways,
ensuring she had enough food and water while she sat on her imaginary nest.
After about 21 days, Henrietta finally snapped out of her broodiness, returning
to her normal self and rejoining the flock with renewed energy.
From then on, Henrietta's story became a legend among backyard chicken enthusiasts, a reminder of the fascinating and sometimes strange behaviors that chickens can exhibit.
