Thirteen days in and I'm worried already!

[chicken slave]

Sounds like she is just coming into lay if she is having a good old sulk then a little wander then another sulk.
Isn't PMT fantastic.

[MaureenHall]

I hope to report a fully naughty chook again by morning!

And I hope that you'll be reporting that you've just had your freshest egg ever for brekkie That's after you've weighed it, measured it, photographed it

[Snadger]

Puberty can be stressful for chooks as well as humans I imagine. It is probably her hormones (says doctor snadge!)

[Glutton4...]

...Isn't PMT fantastic.

Says who!?!

[lizzylemon]

Those chooks! They all get us worrying at some point or another they really do! I have to say though it really does sounds like you've done everything you can and checked for all the obvious signs of non-egg laying related problems so fingers tripled crossed for you. If it's any reassurance, My little Amber hen was much smaller than the other 'commercial' breed hens (the two Gold Lines we have) when she started laying. In fact she was so much smaller it took me a couple of weeks to realise it was her It does sound like a first egg 'wobble', and hopefully it will pass soon, her 'flow' will smooth out and she'll be popping you eggs to her hearts content very soon.

[Bephlam]

It took you a whole 16 days before you had a worry?? Well done you...I worried about 16 minutes after collecting mine!!

I don't know if you remember Flum, but I had similar problems with Henrietta from about 19 wks onwards...right up until point of lay. Every so often she would do exactly what you described...and each time, I thought she was goner...but...*touch wood* she's still here...

So...I wouldn't worry too much...as long as you've checked all the obvious things...crop, vent, etc!

[RedThorn]

Glad to see she's ok Aunty Flum. fingers crossed.

[HayleyB]

Thank gawd for that sounds like PMT deffo poor girlie, so glad she's not truly ill...

[Hans Mum]

hope she's feeling perkier today Flum and you're not too stressed with this chicken keeping milarky.....(even though its worth it)

[Flummery]

Eggies!

Happy to report that she seemed much better by last bed-time, took herself to bed with the others and got up this morning seemlingly fighting fit. I put extra bedding in the next box after cleaning it out (someone had slept in there and made it mucky!) and straight afterwards, Ruby shot inside and started digging in it. Rattling and scrabbling noises from the nest box! We were going out all day - North Yorkshire trip with the local Natural History Society - so I couldn't keep an eye on them. We got back at 5.15 to find 4 very active and happy chickens who rushed up to mug us for some corn - and THREE eggs in the nest box!

So, I have no idea if Amber was one of the layers or the one who hasn't yet on account of being a bit 'Moby Dick' yesterday. Ruby most certainly was. However, the first day with 4 will show they are all fine. What lovely little eggs they are too! I hope to get my photos downloaded this evening - lots from today's trip - but one of 3 precious little eggs will go on my chicken blog.

Thanks again for all your kind thoughts.

love from Flum and the Rock Chicks!

[Nicos]

OK...so have you got your eggs cups to hand????

[Flummery]

Oh yes - but the eggs are on the small side - they lean over to one side! I'm sure when they get into the swing of things they'll fit better!

[Bephlam]

Well done those girls...three eggs already...clever clogs!!

You'll soon have nice big, even eggs!

[Snadger]

Oh yes - but the eggs are on the small side - they lean over to one side! I'm sure when they get into the swing of things they'll fit better!

You'll just have to get a left handed egg cup Flum!

[Flummery]

Three more today! I suspect it's Amber (or maybe Garnet) that isn't yet laying - their combs seem a touch paler than the others'. It seems a shame to each such perfect little eggs (but we did!) - it would be more of a shame to waste their efforts wouldn't it?