Jonny Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 We've been on about 3 eggs a day from 5 ex-batts since December. The last week all we've really had is 4 soft shelled ones. Possible causes: 1) Ive had the week off so they've been out their run from 7 til 5. Too busy eating grass and bugs in the sunshine to bother about pellets and grit. 2) I accidently chucked out their fake egg which has upset them! 3) They seem to be losing a few more feathers - moulting? A few less treats and corn coming up so they have to eat the pellets and grit! Any thoughts anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Mine are doing the same this week. A definite egg strike. I thought it was the frosty cold mornings putting them off but they have been out free-ranging every day this week and haven't bothered laying. I've checked under every bush in the garden but they aren't hiding any eggs there either... Mine definitely aren't moulting - they were a bit bald when they arrived in December and are growing new feathers in the gaps now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 If you keep them in the run for a bit longer than you are doing each day, and give them nothing but pellets in the morning they should tank up on the more nutritious stuff which should get them laying. I suggest stirring some Limestone Flour into their pellets to give them extra calcium, in addition to the grit, to overcome the soft eggs. I add about a TBSP per full grub. It works like a charm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 Got 3 today after keeping them in the mornings to stock up on pellets. Clearly my stern words in the team meeting did the trick! Mind you, they did tread on one, probably in protest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 do the fake eggs work? AM considering getting some ex batts and wonder how the idea works??? Glad they have listened to the pep talk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted February 17, 2008 Author Share Posted February 17, 2008 Definitely, they were dropping them everywhere before, just walking around! Just put one in there. (Don't chuck it out with the bedding - doh!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Have you got a golf ball knocking about somewhere? That might fool them until you can get a replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted February 17, 2008 Author Share Posted February 17, 2008 Knowing my lot they'll take up golf instead of laying! Ive nicked one out of my boys food toys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Jonny wanted to ask you - how did your girls get into the cube when they first arrived? Am thinking of getting some and currently have an eglu but would get a cube to merge the lot eventually - could they climb or did you house them elsewhere to start with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Knowing my lot they'll take up golf instead of laying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 Jonny wanted to ask you - how did your girls get into the cube when they first arrived? Am thinking of getting some and currently have an eglu but would get a cube to merge the lot eventually - could they climb or did you house them elsewhere to start with? They could climb - but didn't have any concept of roosting. I had to put them to bed everynight for a week. Then they got the hang of it. Now some climb, some jump! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 ok great thanks - I love jumping chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted February 20, 2008 Author Share Posted February 20, 2008 I've been keeping them in until midday so they've stuffed themselves on pellet and corn. 3 out of 5 yesterday. 5 out of 5 today !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMO Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Glad you are getting on so well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Now you know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted February 20, 2008 Author Share Posted February 20, 2008 (edited) Yep, thanks for that Eglutine Hi AMO, hows life in the posh bit of Warwickshire? Edited February 21, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMO Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Hi AMO, hows life in the posh bit of Warwickshire? Where will that be then?? Life is busy, busy, busy and full of chooks!! I think we are rehoming 500 chooks at the next rescue (9 March ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted February 20, 2008 Author Share Posted February 20, 2008 Good on you. Remind Ian and Mollie if they ever need a hand.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 and having done a full day y esterday of pellets and baked/ crushed shells and a full day today post chicken spice, I have 2 eggs from 2 chickens for the first time ever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Congratulations Ali! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 Nice one Alih Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Wish things were going so well here. After a half-term free-ranging, freeeeezing weather and no eggs, I have kept the girls in until stuffed with pellets every day, they have mineral supplements in their water and plenty of greens. Marj has laid something every day, although 2 were softies and one was only the size of a large marble and had no yolk. Daph has laid nothing for nearly a fortnight. Starting to worry.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 my joy was short-lived - another softie from ruby today despite doing it all as we should - these chickens are so temperamental! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted February 23, 2008 Author Share Posted February 23, 2008 Without wishing to brag, I got 4 by 10am this morning They've been allowed out now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 No eggs at all today. Found them both investigating wet straw in the nestbox - I suspect one or t'other had laid a softie which they had eaten. They have been wormed with Vermex this week, so they shouldn't have worm problems, both are bright and lively. Just not laying any eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
