coco Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I have had my two ex batts for a week now and one of them has stopped laying completely while the other one is laying daily. They were both laying when I got them, I had two eggs of the one that has now stopped. Could it be due to the change or something else. I don't mind her not laying at least she seems happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 She's probably taking a rest & concentrating on regrowing her feathers, their little bodies can't do both at once terribly efficiently.either the eggs are softies or the feathers don't grow back in our experience Give her some extra protein, that should help with the feathers Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dappy Chick Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 It is quite normal for ex-batts to stop laying - ditto what Wild Mum says she is probably concentrating on feather re-growth. In my experience it is the ones that do not stop laying that I worry more about because they do not re-grow their feathers as quickly and some can take (what seems) forever. Their poor little bodies have been through so much over the last year so give her loads of vits, minerals, protein & TLC and just enjoy them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 They normally become EX bats when they're coming to the end of their first laying cycle, so I'd expect them to stop sooner rather than later tbh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brown Betty Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I've got 7 ex batts well it was 8 till yesterday when Mr Fox paid a visit. But anyway. I was getting a couple of eggs a day when they first came to live with us but stopped after a week and are now growing their feathers beautifully. Still wearing jumpers but you can see the regrowth coming along lovely. I get the odd egg now and then but thats about it. They may start laying again come spring or they may not, I'm just glad they're having a ball in the garden pecking around and having a bit of freedom at last. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veggiemad Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 same here- we got 12 eggs from our three e xbatts in the first week!! but then that dropped to 1 a day from the same hen - she's now growing her feathers and the one a day now comes from a different hen!! I do hope for more eggs when feathers have returned and weather picks up in the spirng as finding the eggs onthe the next box is such fun!! Also one of ours is now moulting what few feathers she did have - strange!! Have fun with your ex batts - their fab- we are already plannig more after xmas!! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted October 31, 2009 Author Share Posted October 31, 2009 Thanks for all the advice. I thought maybe it had something to do with regrowing feathers but wasn't sure. She is now sitting in the house amking qa nest out of bits she's pulled off the conifers and shavings. She's putting shavings on her back, does anyone know why they do this.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 Hi Coco, I would loooooove our remaining ex batt Boris to stop laying. But we get everything - softees, doubles, even eggs with shells almost every day. She must be worn out, poor thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Thanks for all the advice.I thought maybe it had something to do with regrowing feathers but wasn't sure. She is now sitting in the house amking qa nest out of bits she's pulled off the conifers and shavings. She's putting shavings on her back, does anyone know why they do this.. Sounds to me like they're having a rest and a moult/re-feather. One or two of my ex bats have just started laying again after a month of no eggs. The shavings on the back thing sounds like an attempt at dustbathing - when 'the ones who have learned to do this' do it they fling dirt all over their backs. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
