Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Anniebear]

We got our fab new Eglu Go a week ago last Tuesday with our two gingernut girls Matilda and Gertrude. We were so excited especially when Matilda laid her first egg the very next day (she has laid an egg every day since). Disaster struck though on the thursday. We have two dogs, a miniature daschund Maisy and a springer spaniel Merlin. Both dogs had sniffed around the run and house but if anything the spaniel soon got bored and used to slope off quite quickly. I was out and asked my cleaner to let the dogs out for a toilet break. My cleaner called me in a blind panic. Apparently the spaniel had been going crazy around the chicken house and somehow managed to open the back of the house. He then chased and killed Gertrude. I was devastated. It is possible that the dial at the back which closes the back may not have been turned fully. I just dont know, but i am posting this to warn others. My question though is this. I replaced Gertrude with another gingernut from omlet the very next day, Dorothy. I was told that she was slightly older and should therefore be laying eggs but a bit 'scruffy' and needed a new home asap . She has got on brilliantly with Matilda but is still not laying eggs? Matilda lays 2-3 hrs after being let out into the run in the morning and goes into the house and nesting box to lay. Dorothy seems to watch her and sometimes even follows her into the house but still no eggs? not sure if there is anything i can do to encourage her? any help would be gratefully received!

[Mum]

Welcome to our forums

 

Firstly, so sorry to hear about Gertrude Most likely the k"Ooops, word censored!" not being closed tightly as opposed to the dog managing to unlock it.

 

Secondly, congrats on Dorothy and it does seem like your intro's have gone exceedingly well without a quarantine break: bravo!

 

Egg laying: even though she has a reputation for egg-laying, the simple fact is she has just entered your flock of two. It can take a couple of weeks for introductions to settle and egg-laying to resume their previous vigour. Apparently, it takes approximately 26hrs for an egg to form (hence why there is a 2-3hrs window with Matilda's regime).

 

Personally, I would leave Dorothy be, let her settle fully and allow her space to regulate her own egg laying routine. I wouldnt' attempt to promote/interfere with it. It is still extremely early days (not to mention the massive change in weather!)

 

Disaster struck Thursday; Dorothy arrived Friday; today is Wednesday? Give her time to settle

[jackian]

I am so sorry to hear about your poor girl and really glad that it has not put you off having chickens.

I had 2 new girls from Omlet 3 weeks ago a and a to join my two "oldies" . It takes a while for them to settle in and the change in places will possibly upset their laying also she has to get used to a new friend. plus although hybreds lay mostly through the winter months they sometimes take a while. .It won't be long.

My new Rose has only laid one egg in 3 weeks and the Eva has laid 5 so I would not worry at all.They are probably just sorting themselves out.

My other 2 girls Poppy and Clover lay almost every day.

Good luck and keep the dogs at bay .

[Anniebear]

Thankyou for the prompt reply. As you have all said i think patience is the key. Matildas eggs are delicious so i am sure Dorothys will be worth waiting for. On a seperate note i see that you have used the little pictures of gingernuts etc in your signatures etc. where do i find these ?

[sandyhas3chucks]

if it is A GO there are a few posts about the k"Ooops, word censored!" getting opened by creatures..

I got rid of mine, that was one of the several reasons..

[jackian]

I thought they were always there ,but maybe not I seem to think they are where you write your note at the side after you have sent a few messages.

[Luvachicken]

Thankyou for the prompt reply. As you have all said i think patience is the key. Matildas eggs are delicious so i am sure Dorothys will be worth waiting for. On a seperate note i see that you have used the little pictures of gingernuts etc in your signatures etc. where do i find these ?

 

 

Well, I think I can answer this without my OH 's help ...

Click on user control panel

Click on profile then

Click on edit signature......I think thats right. It works for me

[Leeloo]

I think that you might have to have a certain number of posts for the smilies and signature features to show up, like 10 maybe. I also remember being confused about how people were doing it in the beginning, then all of a sudden, they showed up. Or maybe I wasn't looking in the right places!

[Cheeky Chooky]

That must have been very upsetting. Glad you got another girl straight away though and I'm sure she'll settle and lay you some wonderful eggs very soon!

[mollyripkim]

So sorry to hear about gertrude but glad it hasn't put you off chicken keeping. Agree with what others have said that Dorothy just needs some time to settle, I am sure you will soon be getting some more lovely eggs.

Shame about your spaniel, it can work, but takes a lot of patience and training, I have three dogs including a spaniel and dachshund who are great even with the girls freeranging.

I had a Go originally and used to place a large paving slab propped up against the door as I wasn't convinced of its security.

[Mum]

if it is A GO there are a few posts about the k"Ooops, word censored!" getting opened by creatures..

I got rid of mine, that was one of the several reasons..

Really? Ok, thank you for correcting me I'm a classic girl myself so no real experience of Go's.

[Anniebear]

thanks for your help guys. tomorrow we are going to let the girls free range for a while for the first time.......with the spaniel firmly closed indoors! I went to conrol panel ,then profile, then signature but it says i am not authorised to change my signature so guess some of your were right and i need to post more posts!

[Anniebear]

Thanks to all of those who responded to my issue of my new hen Gertrude not laying. The day after I posted my issue Gertrude laid her first egg and has been laying daily every day. Guess it has just taken her a bit of time to settle down. We let both Gertrude and Matilda free range for a while last Saturday and we had quite alot of fun trying to catch them to get them back in the run ! I am in love with my new girls

 

 

Gertrude - 03/2/12

Matilda - 31/1/12

Maisy miniature daschund-nearly 2yrs old

Merlin Springer Spaniel - approx 4yrs old

[WitchHazel]

The day after I posted my issue Gertrude laid her first egg and has been laying daily every day. Guess it has just taken her a bit of time to settle down. /quote]

 

THat's great news!

[Leeloo]

I thought Dorothy was the new one and Gertrude was killed. Did you change her name to inspire her to lay like her predecessor?