Single hen

[Chickaboo]

I have put quite a lot of posts in about Phoebe over the last few months - but in case anyone has missed them she has been laying softies for some time now. We weren't particuly worried about this untill she started to become quite poorly for the 48hrs it took for her to lay them. She was previoulsy just fed on layers pellets and treats late afternoon (Daphne has exactley the same diet with no probs). We have seen various vets, who just put her on antibiotics, and suggested supplements We then found a bird 'specialist' vet, who said it was nothing to do with diet, but an inherant problem with Phoebe and confirmed there was a very real risk of egg peritonitis His suggestion was to stop her laying, initially by a weeks low calorie diet then long term NO layers pelletts (as these are just produced for the poultry industry to make them little egg factories). So she is currently eating a varied diet of corn, wheat, barley, oats, fruit, veg, tuna, pasta, rice etc etc. Naturally she loves this, and it has created its own naughty eating behaviour until she gets what she wants !! But it does appear to be working, she is laying much less frequently - but this could just be coincidence, colder weather etc, and somebody mentioned the 'henopause'. However, I am concerned that she isn't really having a good diet now, that may create its own problems. I'm sooo confused, and don't know whats for the best. She is such a great hen, such a character and we'll do anything pretty much to keep her well. Does anybody else have any experiance or thoughts on this?? I'd be very grateful.

[buffie]

I have been told similar and to be honest I've cut down the mash myself and the girls are offered porridge, pasta, rice, corn veggies and various other foods to decrease the need to lay as machines. I make sure they have a certain amount available in the morning and then the rest afternoon.

 

Our ex batt Mollie was quite unwell so they all went on the new diet. It's trial and error but if you don't need to have masses of eggs you can certainly adjust the diet from what I have been told.

 

Buffie x

[Chickaboo]

Thats reassuring, thank you. I don't care if they lay or not (well some eggs are nice ) but they are predominatley pets.

[abwsco]

My retired farmer friend who helped build my run and adapt my shed only ever fed their chickens mixed corn along with s"Ooops, word censored!"s. He was surprised that we were buying "layers" and had never heard of it.