4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[mostin]

Hi there.

 

Leala, one of my hybrids has not layed an egg for 5 days. Very unusual for her, she's always a good layer, and even gave us a double yolker about 10 days ago.

 

All the hens were wormed about 6 weeks ago. She looks very healthy and happy, joining in with all the other girls in all the activities. She even escaped into next doors garden today .

 

My plan was to spray her with xeno-200 tomorrow in case there are lice or other parasites I have missed. Stop her from free ranging, just in case she has found somewhere to lay away from the cube. And to stop all treats, in case she needs to just eat her pellets for a while.

 

I have just read ANH's post and remembered that stress can be a factor. Shaun has been working on the WIR, but not while they were in it, and she didn't seem any more disturbed than any of the other girls?

 

Is there something really obvious I am missing or forgetting to do? Any help appreciated.

[Plum]

Is she going to start moulting? Could she be laying softies and they are getting eaten?

[Egluntyne]

She could be just taking a break. Maybe the changes have prompted it. If she seems otherwise well, I wouldn't worry too much.

 

Has she had too many treats? I find that it has a noticeable impact on their laying.

[mostin]

Is she going to start moulting? Could she be laying softies and they are getting eaten?

 

I don't think she will be moulting as she only started laying in March. I did think that they might be getting eaten if they were softies, so the only treat she will be getting for the next week will be pellet porridge with extra limestone flour.

 

Has she had too many treats? I find that it has a noticeable impact on their laying.

 

That could be a possibility , that is why she will be not getting anything apart from pellet porridge for a week .

 

 

Thanks for all the idea you two , keep them coming if you think of anything else.

[Plum]

Is she on strike cos you haven't got her any alpacas?

[The Dogmother]

Sorry to have missed your PM about this earlier; I'd just suggest the same I'm afraid. The only other thing I'd suggest is that she could be going broody, but she's clearly not glued to the nest so you can forget that one.

[mostin]

Is she on strike cos you haven't got her any alpacas?

 

I must tell Shaun that one

 

The only other thing I'd suggest is that she could be going broody, but she's clearly not glued to the nest so you can forget that one.

 

I did think she might be my first broody hen, but after todays escape adventure she's definitely ruled that one out for me .

 

I guess I'll just have to relax and give her time, and keep an eye on her.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Our egg production is slowly getting back on track - whether it's because the scary tyre has gone or thanks to the Zolcal D I'll never know!

[mostin]

Our egg production is slowly getting back on track - whether it's because the scary tyre has gone or thanks to the Zolcal D I'll never know!

 

One of the new things Shaun built in their run was copied from yours . The guttering along the front empties into a water bowl which will just overflow when full, so they will never get stale rain water.

 

This may be freaking them out as it's new since the weekend. But Shaun says "I built it, and they had better get used to it being there " . Hopefully we'll get back on track soon just as you have .

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I can't quite get my guttering sorted . I had it emptying into a flower planter but when I was planting bulbs in the other 2 that are the same I noticed that I'd made drainage holes in them all . Not a very successful waterbutt . I can't quite work out how to collect the water now - just as well the weather's nice .

 

How did Shaun get the water to pour into the bowl? Don't suppose you have a piccie ?

[Lewis]

Have they got grit?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

If you mean me , yes, mixed grit with oystershell .

[mostin]

Have they got grit?

 

Yes they've got grit and oyster shell, and they get limestone flour when they get porridge.

 

Still no egg from her. If she doesn't lay one today, that will be a week. It's very puzzling .

[mostin]

I can't quite get my guttering sorted . I had it emptying into a flower planter but when I was planting bulbs in the other 2 that are the same I noticed that I'd made drainage holes in them all . Not a very successful waterbutt . I can't quite work out how to collect the water now - just as well the weather's nice .

 

How did Shaun get the water to pour into the bowl? Don't suppose you have a piccie ?

 

All of my planters had drainage holes in, but I keep my empty compost bags so Shaun lined it with one of those to make it water tight .

 

I'm sure he's got photos of his work , I'll let him know you want to see how he did it .

[shaunw]

ANH

 

A Mostin said i just lined it with an old compost bag.

 

Shaun

[mostin]

ANH

 

A Mostin said i just lined it with an old compost bag.

 

Shaun

 

She wanted to see pictures Shaun, I was giving you a chance to show off. Honestly, I give up .

[shaunw]

i dont have any pictures, your the one on a day off!!!! take the camera out in to the sunshine.

[mostin]

i dont have any pictures, your the one on a day off!!!! take the camera out in to the sunshine.

 

Can't I've got to go out *blows rasberry*

[shaunw]

ANH

 

i will take some piccies this evening when i go out.

 

Shaun

[shaunw]

ANH

 

this is what i have done with mine (for now)

 

I peeled this back so you can see it.

 

I just wrapped the bag all the way round and pressed it down inside.

 

That way the holes in the bottom do not matter.

Edited April 22, 2009 by Guest

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Thanks, Shaun . That's a good, simple idea . I'll adopt that one I think . (Till I can find a water butt small enough to fit in the tiny space I have .)