Busybird Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Chestnut has been worrying us since we returned from a week away at Easter. Having laid an egg almost every day since we got her over a year ago she now lays about one a week. We also get a couple of softies a week. She seems fine in herself. I have been adding limestone flour to the pellets along with the occasional dollop of cod liver oil. They also get poultry spice about once a week. Today I noticed an egg on the roosting bars early on. Chestnut was in the nesting box so I left her to it. However, the sun has come out today for the first time in ages so I was keen to dismantle the Eglu and give it a good clean. At around midday I decided she had had enough time so went and opened the egg port. She gave me a resigned look, got up and I removed an egg from under her along with the one on the roosting bars. These were laid by Ranger and Hazel. I dismantled the Eglu and Chestnut went for a little explore around the garden before coming back, walking round the Eglu a few times (I was washing it) and then making for the shed where she settled down under our folded garden chairs. She looks like a broody but did leave the Eglu when I disturbed her. So... what should I do - could broodiness be the cause of the lack of eggs and softies or is it just another problem? She cannot stay in the shed but should I prevent her from getting back into the Eglu when I put it together or will this just encourage her to 'nest' somewhere else? When DS1 comes home from school I can dunk her (she could do with a wash) but I am now unsure if my attempts to get her to lay again are futile until she snaps out of this phase. Advice please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 If she is broody, it will stop her laying. Might be wrth dunking her even though she sounds half hearted about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
