Nacktschnecken omlet Cube

[amroche]

We had four rohde Island reds, in an arc which they could leave everyday and free range around a fenced in paddock, because they were fenced in the paddock we naively thought they were safe from foxes, so we didn’t lock up the arch at night sure enough mr fox came one night and left me with two out of four .

 

I then got four more - 2 reds a blackrock and a bluebell, I was told I would have eggs in about 4 to 6 weeks. 12 weeks later no eggs!!

 

Since the fox attack the 2 survivors haven’t laid anything and the four new ones have never started. We now lock them in at night but don’t pull up the steps, so I suppose Mr fox could sniff around the arch even though they are upstairs, and the hens might know he is there.

 

I discussed it with the hen seller guy yesterday, he was suggesting pulling up the steps for a week, so the hens cant see anything prowling around outside at night. I am also going to add an egg to see if I can jog their memories that they are laying hens! Am I mad? There seem to be so many reasons now why they might be stressed and not laying but all of these reasons were around last year when I had loads of eggs.

 

I’ve seen a rat run out of the arch around dusk once or twice, crows just wait for us to feed every morning and come down and join the party, could all of these animals be stressing the hens out as well?? We live on a farm so there is no hope of getting rid of crows, rats or foxes. I can swap the hens for new ones, but what’s the point if the same stress factors exist, or is it more likely I was unlucky with the hens?

 

One of the survivors, looks unwell, doing a lot of sleeping, although still eating and drinking. I thought I heard the other survivor sneezing (can hens sneeze) but she seems fine.

 

Should I be giving regular vitamins or medicins anyway, they are fed layers ration every day, s"Ooops, word censored!"s from the table and they free range.............

 

Any experts out there?

 

Help appreciated.

 

Aisling

[Egluntyne]

If they are free ranging, they might be laying their eggs in secret locations about the place.

 

I'd consider worming them if they haven't been treated for a while, and a tonic such as Poultry Spice, or lifeguard might help too.

[squiggin]

I've got a similar problem - a fox attacked my hens 3 weeks ago and killed one and very nearly got another. She went into shock for the first week and was barely eating or coming out of the nest but now seems fine in herself but no eggs (she was pretty much daily before). I've been giving her poultry spice in her food for the last 5 days which has definitely boosted her appetite but still nothing. My other remaining hen is fine and still laying.

 

Not sure what else to do or if I just need to be patient? Will she ever lay again?