Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[LunaKiw1]

Pepper is now two and a half and after being a prolific layer of large eggs for over two years she hasn't laid any for the last 3-4 weeks plus she has lost a lot of her tummy feathers and looks a bit scruffy. She spends quite a lot of time - especially in the mornings - just sitting quietly on the nest. However, she doesn't show the full broody signs like flattening herself, or growling or refusing to get off it - and if any treats appear then she's off the nest like a shot. At other times of the day she is quite happy just pottering about in the WIR with her sister Ginger, roosting on a log in the WIR or out in the garden free-ranging. Is this normal behaviour? It's as if she vaguely remembers that at around 10 she ought to be in the nest box doing something - but once sat there somehow can't quite remember what it is. Do you think her egg laying days are over? Ginger (same age) has also stooped laying recently. They were fully wormed only a few weeks ago but it made no difference. Both seem perfectly happy otherwise.

[surfer_chicken]

How long is she on the nest for? Some girls do like to 'pretend' when they're not laying Also, is she moulting? That could explain why she's looking scruffy and the lack of eggs.

[percy049]

I have a 3 year old ex-free range, who lays 'imaginary eggs'. she hasnt laid any real eggs for about a year now, but now we've got 4 hormone filled pullets she sits in the nest box with them, as if shes laying!

[LunaKiw1]

Sometimes it can be a couple of hours she's sat in there. Today Ginger sat in the run outside the Eglu door for all the world as if she was having a chat or holding her friend's wing in a companionable way! She has been moulting so maybe this behaviour is all part of that.