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

[shelleybonbelly]

Hello all.

 

I have had a pair of gold partridge bantams since youngens and got the to POL.

 

They both laid fairly regularly during the spring then we had to get rid of the cock and replaced him with another hen.

The 2 originals stopped laying and i thought it was to do with the shift in the pecking order. I got a few eggs every so often. Then we had a Red Mite episode so i presume that stopped them laying. Since then i have had nothing from then both. They are now moulting alot so i presume that isnt going to help either.

 

I dont know if it makes any difference but the new hen who is now the top hen has been in and out of broody for a month and i am trying to get her out of it but she is the only one who lays but then gets broody!

 

I really dont know what to do and im getting a bit sick of having 3 hens and no eggs!!!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum . There seem to be loads of us with non-laying hens at the moment . I have 2 out of 5 either not laying at all or laying the occasional softie. In fact I bought 2 new girls so I could actually have some eggs .

 

The moulting could certainly be affecting the laying. Are you doing anything to stop the broodiness? A broody cage might be called for - they work pretty well.

[shelleybonbelly]

I am secluding her in the run but it has rained today and there is no shelter other than to let her out into the garden or sit in the hutch that they sleep in.

 

She will be fine for a day or two then i will find her in the other hutch which they lay in swearign at me when i go to move her.

 

The 2 originals are very timid and i cant get to hold them unless they are in to sleep. Is it worth checking that they havent got an egg stuck? they would both have the same problem?

 

Chickens are way more complicated that i originally thought when i got my 1st ex batteries!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

You could have a look at this for symptoms .