snaps Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Ages since I last posted and apologies if this topic has already been aired. We have two Light Sussex, Clover and Lupin, who are about five. In January they - or one of them, it's hard to be sure - started laying and for three weeks produced four eggs per week right through the cold weather! Then it went down to one egg in the fourth week and four the last fortnight no eggs at all. I have loads of questions. I do hope someone can help Why should they start and then stop? There was no change at all in diet although to encourage them we've bought Best Quality Favourite Most Expensive mash a week ago which they love. If they have come to the end of their laying lives I think it's probably wrong to feed high protein layers mash as won't this make them put on weight? Lupin has already grown absolutely huge. (we think she is size 16 to Clover's 10). So what do we feed them if they continue not to lay, do you think? And if they don't lay and we keep them as pets we only have room for one more in the eglu (Lupin takes up most of it) to actually do a bit of laying. Will a third chicken work? We've intoduced two new ones to a surviving single and it was okay but not sure about one new one to two established ones. My OH says we ought to get a dominant one! They both look healthy and fit, bright red combs, feet in good condition, bright eyes. Part of me wants to keep them forever, laying or not, but if I could find a really nice home for them with someone who has the room for a couple of non producers then it would be a good solution. But my main worry is diet and getting it right. In the winter when they're moulting and definitely off lay they don't want to eat anything like as much but they eat like horses at the moment. I'd be very grateful for any ideas. Anybody else out there got elderly chickens? Although what is elderly for a Light Sussex? I've heard they can live on to be eight or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 When you say she is huge, do you mean that she has put wight on generally, or is it that she has a swollen abdomen? Is she walking with an odd wide legged gait and does she feel hard and rounded, like a beach ball? If so, this, combined with the cessation in laying, could suggest she might have peritonitis, in which case, best to get a vet to have a look at her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snaps Posted February 27, 2009 Author Share Posted February 27, 2009 I don't think she has a swollen abdomen, I think it's general weight but will certainly check first thing tomorrow. And take a look at her walk. Thanks, Egluntine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 I don't know about the feeding, but you have got a point - if they are not laying, do they need a lighter diet? At least one of mine has given up laying, but I can't tell which one. I think it would be quite hard to introduce just one hen, I'm afraid I'd be inclined to wait till there's a natural vacancy, and introduce two. Unless of course you can extend your run and add two now ... it's frustrating to be left with two non-layers, isn't it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Whenever we worm our chickens we see an immediate increase in egg production, so first thing to do is to worm them. I'm guessing that, if the hennopause is like the menopause then the egg laying will indeed be a stop and start affair! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snaps Posted February 28, 2009 Author Share Posted February 28, 2009 I've never wormed any of our chickens, mainly because there seemed to be divided opinion about it - or am I dreaming that bit? But I will now. I've been trawling the health pages and finding the best ones to use. Also found out more about peritonitis and eggs getting stuck and am wondering if that's what Lupin (the big one) might have. Horrors! Got some homework to do. Yes, Olly, I agree with you really about introducing one chicken to two. We've done it the other way round and although it was horrid for the 'resident' chook for a few hours and probably the first night, poor thing, they all settled down well and quickly. No signs of pecking or anything. But I just thought someone might have managed the two to one way round successfully. Because Clover and Lupin really are the picture of health and energy and might carry on until - well, I've heard until they're eight Thanks for all suggestions - don't know what I'd do without this forum in times of trial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
