Chickens.

Hi All,

I have had her since mid September at POL, so she would be about 32 weeks. She has on the last few days started hunching down when I go near her as though she is about to come into lay, which is why I thought she was laying this morning. I have done some searching on the internet and books I have and thought it could be egg binding. I then went to see if I could feel an egg, which I don't think I could, I had a good feel around her back end and after put her down and she walked around for about 2 minutes then plonked herself down like before. I then picked her up and did the same and she walked around for about 5 minutes had some layers pellets an loads of water, then went up the ramp into the coop, before scratching herself a bed on the floor and settling herself. So her legs are working, it seem really strange as she has been fine up until this morning. When I first found her earlier she dropped a poo about the size of an egg that was jet black and really stank. Not sure if this is related or not.

Rusty

 

That's a good sign then.

She might have gone broody, got a call from the last Mrs Searchfield at work one morning, saying that the chicken was doing pretty much what you described, should have thought of it earlier

Much to the lads up on the scaffold's amusement, I got her to put the chicken on the phone and bwaarked at her, she didn't make her usual noise back, more a whining sound.

Have a google for broody hen's see if that helps

 

I have bought her in and put her in the downstairs loo as it is a couple of degrees warmer than the utility. The insulation in there is not great so it is only a couple of degrees warmer than outside. I have given her some grapes which she destroyed and she has had a load of layers pellets too. She has been on her feet all the 20 minutes or do I have been with her. Do you think I should leave the light on or off? Do you think she will be ok in this box?

Rusty

 

If she's gone broody, she will quite happily sit in that box for anything up to a month Rusty, however she won't lay any eggs in the meantime.

If she's still eating heartily, then that's a sign that she's in good health. A couple of things which may indicate broodiness are a repeated, short 'clucking' sound and a fluffing out of the feathers, particularly when she is approached or disturbed.

If you leave her in that box, keep an eye on that jar of water, as there's a good chance she will either knock it over, or when she scratches about it will fill up with shavings which will then soak up all the water. It is important she has a constant supply of clean water, especially if you've brought her indoors.

 

If she's eating and drinking that is a good sign I think she'll be fine in there,I'd switch the light off and she should settle down for the night

 

Those are all hybrid hens and shouldn't be going broody. Has she ever laid an egg?

This could be a question that perhaps could be better answered by a specialist poultry forum

 

Agreed! However ...

... I have a Cuckoo Maran who lays blue eggs My point being ... sometimes, even breeders get it wrong (stray/determined cocks and all that )

For what it is worth, these are my thoughts/experiences: at this time of year, it isn't usual for a September POL hen to lay. However, we have had an extremely mild Autumn and it is quite possible that she may well be in the mode for laying or even having a broody moment. Even hens designated as "non broody" can have their moments

2nd point: her comb is a lovely red colour - this would indicate that she is at POL/healthy. If it were pink, shrunken, I would be thinking she may be unwell. It's not: so I don't.

3rd point: In total agreement with @Trunky that her water needs keeping an eye on

4th point: agree with @Trunky / @Lolimac that if she is eating/drinking you have to think positive However, as loli has also pointed out, hens hide illness very well (cheeky girlies!) but, as your girlie has been eating/drinking/standing, at this point, I see no signs that there is need for 999

5th point: please, do turn the light OFF! She will need rest (aka darkness) whether she is broody/ being pernickety / coming into moult/ having an off day / or ill. Her whole metabolism is built on daylight/night time hours and it would not be a kindness nor a help to her to mess with her biorhythms (that is what they do with battery farming to keep hens laying )

6th point: "hutching down" is a strong indication that she is now of an age where she is reacting like a mature girlie. Feeling around for an egg is a very delicate thing - there is the potential to crack it while feeling around. So, best let Mother Nature do it's job on that front.

7th point: a big pooh, the size of an egg, is not uncommon in a broody hen (just think: wouldn't yours stink if you had kept it inside until it was the comparative/relative size? ). But, it normally still has a white part (the urine) and a darker part - but, not totally unusual to have just the dark effort. No reason to be unduly concerned at that at this point.

Do, please, update us tomorrow morning on her progress. Keep the light off, keep plenty of fresh, clean water available and do monitor her food intake. Also, keep a close eye on the colour of her comb (they go pinker when the hen is off lay and will totally shrink if they are ill) it is a great indication of her health. Maybe not always reliable, but, good for a back garden keeper

Fingers crossed for your girlie

 

That sounds like 'hussy mode'. Most laying hens crouch down when they're expecting to be jumped on by a cockerel, but anybody will do
If you stroke her back and ruffle her behind with (warm) hands she'll probably have a good shake of the feathers and toddle off quite happy.....

 

Just be frank: she wants a bit of the other/gagging for it?

 

for goodness sake "M " . It's Sunday and before the water shed thingy....

 

But. again, has this hen ever laid an egg?

 

Errrr.....well, yes . And IME they're not fussy if there's no cockerel about. Dog knows what my neighbours think
I understood that it's an indication of them coming into lay and once they've got the habit, well, why stop when you're enjoying it? (Them, not me!!)

 

Quite ...







.... so, don't let it lead you astray

 

Perish the thought "M", I wouldn't dream of it,

not while Monday....
Jenny

 

I have no idea ... and the post isn't clear one way or t'other ... but, I'm assuming not ...


... over to you for that one, @rustyroots