Chicken boarders

[Isabel]

Hi All .... my Buff Orp has just started crouching this evening - at least, I presume that's what she's doing (when I put my hand on her back she flattens down and sticks her bum in the air). Does this mean she's coming into lay? I think she must be around 20-22 weeks. I seem to remember reading somewhere (maybe not) that Orps don't lay until nearly 40 weeks. Any ideas what might be going on?

 

The Buff Sussex, on the other hand, is so skittish. She won't let me near her at all - even in the hen-house the other night she pecked and hissed at me when I tried to stroke her . How can I calm her down a bit? Couldn't get within 2 feet of her armed with mixed corn ... is it a case of persevering? She's around 16-18 weeks I think.

 

Thanks

 

Isabel

[Tutti Frutti]

Keep persevering with your Buff Sussex And a tub of mealworms handy! (very btw)

 

As for your Orpie, doesn't sound like she'll be long! Mine are slow though and always take a couple more weeks after first crouch

[Isabel]

If that's the case and she is going to lay in the next few weeks then I'm sooooo excited!

 

Shall try to find mealworms for the other madam and see if they buy my way to her heart! Do you know, they must be the only chickens around not to like treats - strawberries, lettuce, cabbage - all rejected

[Egluntyne]

Why not try lifting her out of the Eglu at night when she is drowsy? It will help get her used to being handled. As soon as she is laying you will have no trouble.

[Tutti Frutti]

Mine ran away from any treats when I first got them! And now it's like a shark feeding frenzy!

[Isabel]

Yes, I think I'll have to keep going to visit them when it's almost dark. That's when I was down the other night and she got quite stroppy. She loves her corn just won't come too close. I've had a hectic couple of weeks and haven't given them as much one-to-one attention as I should have - they've literally been fed, mucked-out and left to get on with it. That'll teach me!

[midori]

I'm quite new to all this, but have 9 hens ranging from POL to year old girls, and not all of them crouch even though they are laying. Some crouch for the other hens, but not for me. They all have such different personalities and also have 'moods', so some days are more inclined to be handled than others.

 

My Buff Sussex won't let me pick them up easily during the day, so I pick them up when they are roosting. However, tonight I ended up with a fat lip after Margery took a dislike to me checking her over and got me in the face with a wing. I had a fat lip and my husband said maybe I should get help when handling the killer chickens next time...

 

My cream legbar is new and doesn't crouch, but she is very friendly and will let me pick her up.

 

I noticed two of mine crouch before they laid (although one only for other hens), both laid within a week of seeing the crouching.

[Isabel]

Ouch Midori - bet that hurts! It must be something with the Buff Sussex breed although I did get to stroke mine before I let her out this morning. Meanwhile, Nigella continues to crouch and DS is running to check for eggs at regular intervals .... he'll soon grow bored

[midori]

Ouch Midori - bet that hurts! It must be something with the Buff Sussex breed although I did get to stroke mine before I let her out this morning. Meanwhile, Nigella continues to crouch and DS is running to check for eggs at regular intervals .... he'll soon grow bored

 

 

It did hurt, but fine this morning. I don't think it is the breed, although could be, I suppose, but mine were bought as yearlings and not really handled prior to that. They'll feed from my hand etc and when my husband picks them up they 'submit'. I think I am just too worried about hurting them as they seem so fragile, so they maybe don't feel so secure when I hold them. Now I know what their left hook feels like, I might not be so worried in future...

 

I doubt your son will get bored. My children aren't even waiting for a hen to start laying and still want to check the nest box every 30 seconds... Gotta love the summer holidays...