Britannia Ovens (esp Range cookers) your experience

[Jennifer Jane]

Maud, one of our original ex-batts, seems to have been behaving differently for a few days. She has been bok-bokking very loudly throughout the days - as though she wanted to lay an egg, although she is a morning layer. She has found a spot behind a bush to sit/nest, but she has been coming out for food, so I wasn't worried. However, I got home this afternoon and she was in the nesting box. Two hours later she was still there, so I thought maybe she was broody and went to check (though I have no experience of broody hens). I found some broken shell underneath her. I tried to persuade her out with some mealworms but she wasn't particularly interested. She gaped a little, had a beakful of water and went to her nest behind the bush. She has dirty feathers around her vent, but other than that looks fine, bright eyed and alert. My husband did find one of the "old girls" sitting on one of the new girls' eggs yesterday, not sure if it was Maud or Matilda. After losing Mabel a couple of months ago I am probably a little twitchy, but wondered if anyone has had similar experiences or any advice?

[Egluntyne]

It sounds as if she is broody.

 

Advice **here**

 

Might be worth worming her in view of the mucky backside.

[Jennifer Jane]

I've just checked and Maud has expelled a yolk in her shrubbery "nest" and is now almost back to normal, drinking, eating and bullying the new girls. So it was probably a two part softie, but I will keep an eye on her. The problem is I'm not normally at home to notice these changes in behaviour - had I been working I would only have seen "normal" Maud!

Thanks for the advice. They are due worming anytime now, so I might bring that forward.

[Christian]

Worming sounds like a good idea, it can affect them badly.

 

The trouble with softies is that it takes an enormous amount of energy to 'lay' a soft shelled egg, as there is nothing to push against. They look hunched and moserable, but with mine, they are back to normal within minutes of laying one. Obviously tricky if you have to work, but such is life. They generally will withdraw from the others if unwell, so I wouldn't worry too much. Glad to hear she is doing well.