MaryKate Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I can't find any comments on this on the forum, but have just noticed that Omlet are now selling transparent covers for their runs. I have read somewhere that chickens need 'sunlight on their backs' to help egg formation and wonder if this the purpose of transparent covers. One of my girls, Marleen, has laid two softies yesterday and today and I am wondering whether she has been spooked by the change in the weather and lack of 'sunshine on her back'. Normally my two spend about 4 hours in the morning in their 4 metre run and then FR for the remainder of the day - and make hell of a fuss if they are not allowed to FR. Yesterday was their first experience of real rain - so they just stood in their run virtually all day. The run has two full length Omlet covers to keep it dry, therefore it is probably a bit gloomy in there. Marleen did try to dust bathe between showers, but discovered a mud bath instead and got rather grubby (I am still trying to clean her). Yesterday and today she laid softies - which she has done before when we have had particularly windy weather, so I am wondering whether the stress of not being able to FR, not getting sufficient light, plus the rain and then getting mucky might have caused the soft egg production? She looked a bit out of sorts this evening just before laying her soft egg at 7.30 pm (much too late) and had a bit of white diarrhoea on her feathers. Do other people's chooks react to the weather like this - or is there something else I should be considering? It is all getting very stressful - I have just noticed it is 1.00 am and I am worrying about chickens!! But your views would be very much appreciated. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 They do need the sunlight, as you say, and this is one of the reasons why egg laying tends to taper off during the Winter months. I hadn't noticed that Omlet are now selling clear shades. Fantastic. I can see me buying a couple. Hens aren't usually unduly bothered about the weather. My daft lot stay out in the rain, looking very bedraggled, but they don't care. I wouldn't bother trying to clean up a muddy hen. They quite like getting dirty. It helps clear their feathers of any parasites. The soft egg is probably just a blip. It might be worth worming them with Flubenvet if the diarrhoea persists, as free ranging + soft eggs + diarrhoea can often = a worm infestation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henchanted Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Hello ditto what Eglutyne said. Also, in the absence of rain I use reed garden screening over part of the run so they have airy shade as well as access to sun and I use a clear shower curtain on wet days on part of the run so they have some sunshine. I would definitely worm them and (though yours do f/r) maybe check they have enough mixed grit in the run Mine don't seem to mind the summer rain, I think its quite refreshing for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
