AJuff Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Ever since the first day my columbine started laying green eggs two of my other hens have stopped altogether. It has been six days since they layed. They are perfectly happy and scratching around as usual. Is this a normal occurance or can hens control their own egg laying? Freeloading on purpose in protest? At this rate I'll be shopping for eggs!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Are you sure they aren't laying under a shrub in the garden? If they are free ranging they might be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted January 27, 2008 Author Share Posted January 27, 2008 I'll check under the laurel hedge!! If they have always laid in the nesting box would they change their ways? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 They do sometimes if they've had to queue and been caught short! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Don't want to worry you but Molly (our Pied Suffolk) stopped laying the day we went away for half term (in October ) and hasn't laid since! Not that she was a prolific layer, 10 in total . Good news though, she's been less flighty recently but today I walked up to her and she crouched properly - elbows out and everything . Fingers & toes crossed . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I'll check under the laurel hedge!! If they have always laid in the nesting box would they change their ways? I remember a while back someone posting that they thought their hen had stopped laying, and then one day noticed her disappear under a shrub. Upon investigation whoever it was found something like seventeen eggs! I've looked but can't find the story to post a link. It might even have been on another forum. Not that I ever visit other forums. Well hardly ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 If she is still crouching and her comb and wattles still red, then it is likely she is still laying. Two of mine are having a break and I've noticed they have become less tame, don't crouch (unless pinned down) and comb and wattles have definitely shrunk and gone grey. Might give you an idea whether she is still laying or is genuinely having a break! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted January 27, 2008 Author Share Posted January 27, 2008 No eggs in the bushes! I did a thorough check. I cleaned out the eglu this afternoon and realised that Darcy has lost a lot of feathers so that may explain why she isn't laying, moulting. As for Delia, your guess is as good as mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Egluntine I was one of mine that was laying under a shrub and when I found it there were 13 eggs. We'd taken in 3 extra hens 2 or 3 weeks before so although only one of the extras are laying it had obviously put her off her routine. When we took all the eggs she abandoned that nest and made herself another under some trellis in another bit of the garden. This time I bought a china egg which I put into her new nest when I removed the eggs and she has carried on laying there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I knew I hadn't dreamt it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
