drliz Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Even though they're from the farm shop down the road it's just not the same... but no home grown eggs since beginning of december, so i'm after any ideas of other things i can try to get my girls laying again please? To be fair to them, they have had a traumatic time. We moved in December, and the day after we moved the temparatures dropped to -15, and then it snowed, and they moulted too. Also, Fuggles, our amber star, who hadn't laid since a bout of probable sterile peritonitis in May, succumbed to the cold/move/etc trauma and died the day before christmas. But, the weather has been pretty mild for a month now. most of the feathers have grown back, although Sapphire (a bluebelle) is still a bit scruffy round the edges, and they get to free range in our new paddock. they seem perky, red combed and love trotting up to the back door to see if there are any treats in the offing. No runny poo or other signs of ill health. for the last 2 weeks i've actually not been letting them out the run til lunch time, so that they'd eat more layers pellets (and in case they were being sneaky and laying away!) as i noticed that it was days between me needing to top the grub up. they get some porridge most mornings, but other than that no treats until late afternoon, and then usually just a handful of grain or bread s"Ooops, word censored!"s We've had one very soft shelled (broken) egg this week, (from Golding, our meadowsweet ranger) which i guess might be a good sign? they will be 3 years old in a month or so. I just need some hope that fresh eggs are just round the corner.... any thoughts appreciated! Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I would cut out all treats and feed pellets or mash only. Lifeguard in their water will help improve their condition and wont hurt in terms of the soft shelled eggs either. If they haven't been flubenvetted in the last 3-4 months, that would also be a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I would cut out all treats and feed pellets or mash only. Lifeguard in their water will help improve their condition and wont hurt in terms of the soft shelled eggs either. If they haven't been flubenvetted in the last 3-4 months, that would also be a good idea. good idea, mine were all on strike from beginning of December & 2 started laying again yesterday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Mine stopped laying in November - One had a humungus moult and was almost oven ready - they were wormed when moulting and the other a smaller moult - the one with a complete moult started laying about 2 weeks ago and the other is just starting to pink up a bit at the comb and they will be 3 and half years old about now as had them for 3 years at the end of the month Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 The increased day length will soon get them going again. I am lucky that my youngsters who are coming upto 2 years old laid right through the winter. I thought that we would have an egg free winter this year, they have all moulted to a greater or lesser extent, they have had Lifeguard in their water and mealworms everyday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I'd worm them with flubenvet and maybe try limestone flour in their feed 3 is quite old though so they will be slowing down their egg production Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Still waiting here too *drums fingers* Wormed, moulted, back on layers etc, still no eggs I'm being taken for a fool I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iggyigster Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 me too. bought three in September at 16 weeks and still waitng. they're eating me out of house and home and giving nothing in return apart from rats! four more weeks or the pot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iggyigster Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 i hereby withdraw my last post. wife just called our first egg has arrived!!! and nice dark brown one from the Barnevelder, right she can stay the other two better pull their beaks out. The lady we bought them off said Valentines day was the taditional day for rare breeds to start laying, how right she is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 i hereby withdraw my last post. wife just called our first egg has arrived!!! Congratulations Mine are obviously holding out for Shrove Tuesday this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
