Early night?

[raine]

Hi all, just need your thughts- Myrtle took herself to bed at 4.30 ish this afternoon. I've tried to encourage her out with corn etc but she's not interested. She looks bright and alert and she was alright this morning when i let them out. What do you think

[sheena]

Broody maybe? I'm just guessing, but it's a possibilty.

Maybe someone with more experience than the novice I am can tell you more.

[raine]

Do ex-batts get broody? I thought they weren't prone to it but I'd rather that than her be ill. Any advice?

[Suechooks]

Do ex-batts get broody? I thought they weren't prone to it but I'd rather that than her be ill. Any advice?

I've had one go broody last year - the quietest timidest one turned into a tutting pecking psychopath for about a month. Looked like a brown speckled football! It's the only hybrid I've had go broody. They make a special broody noise when you try and evict them from the nest - sort of like a cluckwork hen!
Your girl might be trying to lay a soft egg. It seems to be the thing most of the ex-batts do when their behaviour alters. About 4 of mine are taking turns to do it just now.

[raine]

How long would it take to lay a soft egg? They do lay the odd one but I've always put it down to olive-she's the scrawniest!

[MaureenHall]

Unfortunately it can take up to a day, that's why they seem off-colour, it's more difficult to lay a softie than a normal egg. Once she's got rid of it though, she'll be fine. Just keep trying to boost up the calcium levels

[Lemon]

Korma seems to go to bed early too...I come home around 6'ish and she's already in the nestbox settling in for night! Bokky is stillout having fun on her lonesome in garden! She doesn't turn in til about 7.

Still can't work out who's not laying - they both spend time in house but only one egg a day. Makes me think of Chicken Run when they're trying to hide who's not laying so they don't get the chop! "Those chickens are revolting Mrs Tweedy!" lol

[raine]

The girls have limestone flour and ground eggshell PLUS mixed grit and layers feed that has added wotsit for 'shell integrity'. Still, i get a soft shell every 10 days or so. I'll keep an eye on her tomorrow and let you know how she is
thanks

[Glutton4...]

One of mine was trying to tuck the three rubber eggs under herself this morning. She was all fluffed up, and not at all happy at me taking three real eggs from under her. I removed her from the nest box, and two others got off on their own accord. One had just laid because the egg was still wet!

Normally I leave them to it, but there seemed to be a 'traffic jam' today. The nest box is big enough for three, but their were five in there, and about as many waiting to get in. One of the Marans actually gave up and laid hers in the main coop.

I guess that means I need to make another nest box, as there are twenty of them now!

Very occasionally I get a softy, nowhere near as often as when I first got them six months ago. Trouble is, I only ever find the shell remains - they eat the rest.

[raine]

Myrtle is out this morning , had a drink but no food and is just standing about. I'm really worried but have to leave for work (already late) so i'll see her tonight. Keep your fingers crossed for me please, she's a lovely hen and is actually the only one of my three to have recovered all of her feathers, very friendly too.

[dozey1]

Hi, i am getting some limestone flour but how much do you give the girls and how do you get them to eat it. Thanks

[Suechooks]

Hi, i am getting some limestone flour but how much do you give the girls and how do you get them to eat it. Thanks

I give mine a teaspoon a day between 10 hens in their morning mash.

[Suechooks]

Myrtle is out this morning , had a drink but no food and is just standing about. I'm really worried but have to leave for work (already late) so i'll see her tonight. Keep your fingers crossed for me please, she's a lovely hen and is actually the only one of my three to have recovered all of her feathers, very friendly too.

I have one really unwell this morning too.
I've separated her and will try and get some antibiotic from the vet as I think she's retained some egg bits.
The calcium supplements will only improve shell quality if there's a shell to improve. It doesn't seem to put a shell on.

[dozey1]

Thanks Suechooks

[raine]

Hi all, mytle still not right - she's not worse and is drinking and eating a little but mainly just standing fluffed up. There are no runny poos, her beak and eyes and vent are clear and i'm stumped. I've thought of worming her but am worried whether it's a good time as she evidently isn't right. Am quite worried, need ideas please
thanks