geb0205 Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 I have 3 different questions about my girlies, but rather than put them in 2 posts, I will combine them! Firstly, Speckle appears to have lost rather abit of weight. She is happy in herself, so it seems, eating, drinking, but spends ALL her day in the greenhouse with Freck, the monarch, whilst the other 2 roam all day. Is it normal for them to lose weight in the winter? This leads to question 2.... as Speck and Freck are spending time in the greenhouse and not scratching, their claws are getting longer... any advice on clipping claws? or am I best to find a local chicken/bird person to do it for me? And finally, now both littlies (Fuzz and Puzz) are laying, Fuzz keeps laying an egg and sitting on it, with rather abit of broody behaviour (feather pancake sitting in the nest, growling, puffing herself up).... I keep taking her eggs. In the morning, she is fine, running around all day with Puzz. Is it normal for them to be broody at this time of year or is it her hormones settling down into laying? Such bizzare creatures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh sarah Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 hi i am just replying to say i dont know the answer to any of your questions sorry, i am sure there are alot of knowledgeable people who will be along soon good luck sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 I have 3 different questions about my girlies, but rather than put them in 2 posts, I will combine them! Firstly, Speckle appears to have lost rather abit of weight. She is happy in herself, so it seems, eating, drinking, but spends ALL her day in the greenhouse with Freck, the monarch, whilst the other 2 roam all day. Is it normal for them to lose weight in the winter? This leads to question 2.... as Speck and Freck are spending time in the greenhouse and not scratching, their claws are getting longer... any advice on clipping claws? or am I best to find a local chicken/bird person to do it for me? And finally, now both littlies (Fuzz and Puzz) are laying, Fuzz keeps laying an egg and sitting on it, with rather abit of broody behaviour (feather pancake sitting in the nest, growling, puffing herself up).... I keep taking her eggs. In the morning, she is fine, running around all day with Puzz. Is it normal for them to be broody at this time of year or is it her hormones settling down into laying? Such bizzare creatures! don't know if it's normal for them to lose weight specifically in winter but i have read that weight loss can be due to worms or a crop problem. Do you worm them and have you felt her crop? Is it empty in the morning or does it look full or bloated all the time? If you're not used to trimming their nails, I'd get someone who knows what they're doing to do it/ show you how to do it as they have veins in their toe nails and if you cut it that could cause sever blood loss and/or introduce bacteria into their system. can't offer any help with question 3, sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geb0205 Posted December 11, 2007 Author Share Posted December 11, 2007 Thanks Poet... In reply, their crops are definatly full in the evening, and empty in the morning. I have started worming them with Verm-X pellets, but the cheeky creatures won't eat it... I think I might have to get hold of some flubenvet if I can. The claws I will leave to someone else, or I may succumb and take them to the vet to do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 Can you keep them out of the greenhouse during the day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 My guess is that they are sheltering in there to keep warm - if they don't have any meat on them, they won't be able to keep warm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
