Tricky Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 We have been waiting for Bramble to lay her first egg and on Tuesday evening, after strange behaviour for a day or two,(running in and out of the eglu nest) she laid a "softie". Since then she has continued her strange behaviour, running in and out of the eglu and today we couldn't find her, but eventually discovered her "hiding" under the conifer trees. Managed to coax her out and put her in the eglu where she stayed in the nest area for ages.She also hasn't been eating as much today.Other than that she looks good,red comb etc. Any ideas please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Soft shelled eggs are common to new layers. She might be getting ready to lay her first propper egg. Keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted August 18, 2010 Author Share Posted August 18, 2010 I'm going to go and look now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted August 18, 2010 Author Share Posted August 18, 2010 still in the nest box...no egg yet.Its like being in labour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennydavies Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 When ours first started laying, Bluebelle was in the nest box for over an hour one day since everything settled down on the laying-tackle front they are now in there for around 15 minutes. be very patient with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted August 18, 2010 Author Share Posted August 18, 2010 shes been in the nest all afternoon now.Just wonderig if she needs a little help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 (edited) What does she look like in apperance? Edited August 18, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellykelly Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 You could offer to rub her back and wet her brow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted August 18, 2010 Author Share Posted August 18, 2010 Been there, done that..... a long time ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Put the hot water on and get plenty of clean towels ready. She may benefit from some cod liver oil if she hasn't laid tomorrow. As long as she is eating/drinking and generally active, I wouldn't worry to much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted August 18, 2010 Author Share Posted August 18, 2010 what do I do with the cod liver oil and she hasn't come out the nest all afternoon so hasn't hafood or drink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennydavies Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Hmmmm, that is a long time to be in there. See how she is in the morning and put a little cod liver oil in her food. I am not comfortable when they don't eat and drink properly. They do have a few problems when they first lay, but it usually sorts itself out but that is a bit long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted August 18, 2010 Author Share Posted August 18, 2010 thanks for the advice. She came out an hour ago, walking very awkwardly did a runny poo and went into the eglu where she has now been joined by the others as its dark. Not a lot I can do except wait till the morning.If she's still the same then I think I will visit a vet.What concerns me the most is her sudden loss of appetite for both food and water,never a good sign in any animal.I will keep you informed on this post.Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Just check her vent and make sure nothing amiss there. I had one who had trouble with first egg and had to assist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted August 18, 2010 Author Share Posted August 18, 2010 What do you mean by "assist" please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Well she prolapsed so the egg was stuck in and out so I broke the egg to get it out but had to be careful to get it all out, that's all. It's worth a little peep at her, if she has an egg near the exit a bit of lubrication can help before it gets to the situation I had. Have you checked her for signs of being near laying i.e. bones moving apart, vent becoming wider and that sort of stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted August 18, 2010 Author Share Posted August 18, 2010 thanks Plum, she laid a softy yesterday so yes she is ready to lay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 well done girl. They settle down in a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted August 19, 2010 Author Share Posted August 19, 2010 Still no egg, although she has been more active today, eating and drinking and otherwise Ok apart from she still appears confused, in and out of the nest.Hasn't been in there all day though like yesterday. So i got a bowl of hottish water and gentley gave her rear a steam and then lubricated her with a bit of sunflower oil (all i had to hand). Hopefullty this will help.I don't think there's anything else I can do but wait to see what happens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 I' d leave her to it. It takes them a while to get the hang of things, and she may well lay a few soft eggs at first. Unfortunately these do cause some discomfort, but minimal intervention is probably the best way to go. if you tinker about you risk introducing infection, and true egg binding is very uncommon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted August 19, 2010 Author Share Posted August 19, 2010 Thanks for your advice.I have decided to leave her to it.Nothing else I can do apart from take her to a vet. Will just see how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Keep us posted Tricky or ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted August 19, 2010 Author Share Posted August 19, 2010 Will do.All went to bed early tonight due to the rain. see what tommorrow brings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 Any news on Bramble? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
