Unsecure chicken perches

[Gelbel]

Hi, I mentioned last week that we are waiting for Madge's first egg - she's been crouching for well over a week now.

 

Last Sunday after a while in the nest she displayed all the classic signs of laying a softee. From Monday onwards she has been fine. No signs of an egg at all - and I've kept an eye out for anything 'strange' and just being more watchful with her.

 

She did exactly the same yesterday - fine first thing then looking like she was going to lay. Not even using the nest box but looking like she was trying to lay in the run instead. After that she, again, has displayed all the classic signs of laying a softee. She seems fine this morning - bit jaded but much happier than yesterday.

 

What confuses me is, is this a egg problem OR she was FR on both Saturdays...........could she have eaten something that upset her? Cissie and Ada are fine and would've eaten the same tasty things they found and her poos etc are 'normal'. If it were an egg problem why would it happen a week apart?

 

Any ideas?

[Plum]

Do you think she may have laid softees and she or others eaten it.

[Gelbel]

Last Sunday and yesterday she could not have done as I was watching her like a hawk. During the week it's a different matter - but when she has been in the nest I'd thought that if a softee were laid and eaten I'd have some evidence on the shreaded paper but there are no other signs than the paper being flattened by chooky bums.

 

I am going to poo pick the smaller run later - will go over with a fine tooth comb looking for evidence.

[Gelbel]

It was softee problems. Madge has produced a viable egg today - although the shell is very fragile and sort of opaque.

 

She is as bright as a button today too.

[Plum]

Little madam, don't they wind you up. Glad she's ok.