Chook n Boo Mum Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 Hi Everyone, I've been dipping into the forum, gleaning info for the last few weeks and now I've officially becoming a chook mum I thought I'd better register! My new chooks are at the moment sorting themselves out & the three labs are starting to lose interest - under close watch by one of the 2 legged family members! Earlier this evening, Buttercup the Goldline laid a soft egg, just where she was standing in the run, turned round, whipped off the membrane and proceeded to devour the yolk and share the white with the other 2 girls, before I had the chance to get the dogs away so I could get in there to retrieve it. Is this normal and all to do with the stress of the car journey & joining our madhouse? She had been rather quiet since we put them in the run, she'd be sitting down with her eyes shut almost as if she was snoozing on & off, but is now asserting her authority over the others, much to poor Snowdrop's cost. Bluebell's just keeping out of the way! They are flitting in & out of the Eglu like mad things at the mo, although it's getting dark now, so hopefully this will stop soon too. We've spent so long watching the chook girls, that supper is now very late..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 Hi and firstly welcome to the forum . It's perfectly normal for chooks to lay soft shelled eggs when they are young and their laying tackle is settling, the new move could also contribute. as long as she is looking well and eating and drinking I wouldn't worry. They often look poorly befor laying a softie so that accounts for her change of attitude! Hope she settles in ok with your other girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 One of my new girls laid two very tiny softies this morning! Quite normal for a first timer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 Hello and welcome to the forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 Hello and welcome from me too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 Welcome to the forum, Wild Mum . A softie is quite common (I had one yesterday, well, one of my hens, not actually me ). It's probably down to the move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 Welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted June 22, 2008 Author Share Posted June 22, 2008 Thank you all for your words of welcome and encouragement! Having read the forum for about a month, I was almost certain she wasn't in trouble, but just had to be sure! Bit like being a first time mum again!! Today, Buttercup has been in & out of the nesting box umpteen times & we are watching her like a hawk incase it happens again, so we can whip the egg away before she snaffles it again, assume this is better than trying to break any habits further along the line? We peer in through the pophole rather than opening the egg door every time. Bluebell seems to go in to keep her company, or maybe for a laying lesson!! Snowdrop decided to make a break for freedom earlier & succeeded in getting a thorough cuddling instead - much to Jessie's (black lab) annoyance. Too bad she needs to get used to sharing me with someone else! Jess is our "previously loved" lab, who thinks she should be an only pup - how wrong is she!! Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchlayer Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Hello and welcome too. I have my chooks 6 weeks and we got our first softie last week too. That was eaten and I just found the rubbery remains, which had me confused for a bit then I realised what it was. Good luck, like you say it's like being a first time mum again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
