Feeding advice for bantams (one broody, one moulting)

[dodomydodo]

Hi,

 

I'm new to this business but am enjoying it immensely. Unfortunately I have a hen problem I hope someone can help with!

 

We have three POL hens, about 21 weeks old none of them laying yet, and one of them has stopped making little 'buck, buck, buck' noises and is instead sort of saying 'buuuuuuuuck' in a very quiet, plaintive way. She also seems to be choking a little every now and then.

 

I do hope someone can put my mind at ease about her, maybe we're heading for our first egg?

 

Thank you.

[Lovemychooks]

Errmmm, not quite sure what to say but it may be an egg on its way. I wouldn't say it was a problem though Mine only go bok bok bok (very loudly which I love) and that is either to say that there is already someone is the next box (they have access to 5 nest boxes but only choose to lay in one spot !) or it is after they've laid an egg. Hope this helps

[Guest]

Welcome!!

 

I'm not sure about the choking. Could you be more specific?

 

But if there are no other symptoms, just the change in call, I'd try not to worry.

 

I hope you have an egg soon!

[clucking mad]

some chicks do take ages until they lay there fist egg, she may be making funny noises because she is trying to lay but isnt used to it.

if it still happens for ages then you can take her to the vet.

[dodomydodo]

Thanks for your replies.

 

The 'choking' is a sort of cough she does and then shakes her head a little. I'll keep an eye on her and let you know if there are any developments.

 

Thank you

[Lovemychooks]

It could be gapeworm but i'm not 100% sure. Have you wormed them recently ?

[Hen Watch]

Mine make very different noises now they are older than they first did. Last year when I introduced a younger hen to 3 I'd had for a month, I really noticed how different she sounded to them. Now she is the same (if not louder and noisier).

 

Whilst mine are laying they make a continuous sort of low purring sound. Then we get the "bok, bok" to announce they have laid an egg. Sometimes the "bok" noise is so loud it sounds like barking as they all raise an alarm call when they are frightened. They did this yesterday and I shot out of the house thinking they were in trouble and then heard the distant rumble of a thunderstorm (they also don't like nextdoor's window cleaner when he's up the ladder....!!!)

 

The funniest noise is the purring like a cat when they are enjoying a dust bath or sunbathing.

 

So it may be absolutely nothing to worry about, but all the same keep an eye on her to see if the head movements are just now and then whilst she digests food or something else.

[SharonX]

Two of mine like to let the world know when they have laid, (& they did the Bok Bok before hand for a while too) but what I seem to be having trouble with seems to be the same as you. I have put it down to wanting to get out of the run. They have had the end of term holidays where we have been home all day & I have let them freerange from around 9ish til they put themselves to bed. Now if I don't let them out all day because we are back to work/school they are complaining. Trouble is this has now started from about 6.30am am begining to worry about the neighbours This seems to be a continuous lower bok rather than the loud high pitched bok bok which they do after a lay, or when they are scared, (which happened yesterday when I moved their mirror in their run & they must have thought it was another flock intruding!

Anyway, not sure if my theory is right but they are quiet as mice all the time they have their own way & can rome the garden. Maybe this will help.

[dodomydodo]

Thanks for all your replies and advice, have ordered Flubenvet and will give the girls some as soon as it arrives - hope it will solve Gigi's problem