what are the reasons for brooding/nesting behaviour in some breeds of hens?

Question

Road Iarland Red breed of hen use to lay 8-14 eggs in a clatch.
Then take puse period 4-5 days. But some layer birds show nesting/brooding behaviour around 10-18 days. during that time there is no egg production. Even the bird take less feed and water during the period. Is there any hormonal relationship for this? If, what hormone ? how we can estimate the hormone in blood of the bird ? is there any way to avoid the brooding behaviour in layer birds ?

Answer 1

Contact a vet.