mollyripkim Posted July 30, 2010 Share Posted July 30, 2010 Hi I am new to chicken keeping and have four lovely silkies, who I am told are around 17 weeks old. One spent a couple of hours running around making strange noises and going in and out of the nest box before laying her first egg. Now this morning another one seems to be in pain, she has gone into the nest box, is not interested even in corn when offered, and is sort of breathing through her beak. Is it normal for them to get stressed out or in pain when they first start to lay? Any advice would be really appreciated. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esta Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 When I had silkies I found they didn't lay much, and when they did the eggs were quite k"Ooops, word censored!"bily, but this was because they were about 3 years old Sometimes it is quite stressful for them, and they struggle to lay, and if they are young i'm sure they will start getting into the flow of laying, I'm sure its because they have only just started Esta x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Sorry, I've only just seen this. Did she lay her first egg? Is she OK now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted August 15, 2010 Author Share Posted August 15, 2010 Thanks for your replies, unfortunately she died during the night which was so unexpected as we had spoken to her breeder who was sure she was ok as she just seemed agitated. She has assured me that it's an unusual thing to happen as she wasn't wheezy, had any discharge, mites etc and didn't appear to be egg bound. On the plus side Henrietta continues lay a lovely egg every day followed by a lot of loud clucking and fuss. Unluckily our cuckoo girl called flo ended up crowing so was a Jo and has gone to a new home. I was so disappointed as he was such a character but the neighbor would have complained. So now waiting for two new girls and just hope they are girls and will settle in with Henrietta and Doris who is not laying yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 I'm sorry to hear that, its not been a nice introduction for you The only small consolation is that this has been an unusual experience, although coming into lay is a big new experience for a pullet's body and things can go wrong, normally they get on with it just fine. So, I hope your two new birdies are a) girls and b) bring you lots of enjoyment in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted August 16, 2010 Author Share Posted August 16, 2010 Thanks for your kind reply, it's reassuring to hear it's an unusual thing to happen. Made us paranoid about the others but they seem really well and we are enjoying them so much, it's lovely to see them scratching around the garden. Henrietta is very tame now and comes running over when I go outside chattering away. They get chicken spice one week then cider vinegar in their water but haven,t given them garlic again as it was the only thing different the day Gertie died. Anyway I will post again when I get my new girls. The forum is brilliant for us new people to chicks!! Best wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
