Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Pawpower]

Hello all

 

I am new to keeping chickens, and a few weeks ago a managed to rescue 8 battery hens from a farm here in France. They settled in really well and were laying on a regular basis. Now a friend of mine had a cockerel surplus to requirements asked us if we were interested, not knowing any different we said yes. Unfortuantley he will not leave the 'girls' alone and egg laying has stopped altogether.

 

The girls seem to be happy, the pecking of each other has stopped but of course egg laying has ceased. I really don't know what to do, should I separate the cock or will the girls 'sort him out' I haven't any nesting boxes yet as the girls ran a mile when they first went into their new home, and they are not roosting yet at night, but I'm not concerened about this, it's just he fact that the cockerel won't leave them alone!!

 

Help only want to do the best for my girls!!!!

[Egluntyne]

Possibly just the change of circumstances that has caused the laying to stop.

 

Here is what the BHWT say about introducing cockerels to ex-batts. YOu have done what they suggest.

 

Cockerels

 

For the same reason as above, we always advise that it is best for the girls if they are kept separate from a cockerel for at least a couple of weeks - (a) they’ve never seen a cockerel and it’s a pretty scary experience when they do and (b) if he’s big and keen, he may do damage by jumping on a hen with weak legs and/or bald backs. If you can, give them a couple of weeks to build their confidence and strength.

 

Could your girls have started laying their eggs in places other than the nest box?

 

Have a hunt round....there may be a clutch of eggs somewhere.

 

Why not worm them all and check for lice and mites as a precaution too?

[Pawpower]

Great thanks, I think I'm just getting 'clucky' over the girls, they are experiencing rain for the first time today so they are all just looking at the very grey sky and clucking!!

 

They are all eating and scratching away, just been out for another check all seems fairly quiet now so I'll keep you posted.

 

Thanks for putting my mind at rest - was worried I had done something wrong!!

 

Sam

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