Take part in study on PFAS 'forever chemicals' in eggs

[SherlockHolmes]

We got 2 Polish bantam hens around 3 weeks ago from a group of mixed chickens which included a cockerel. They were around 24 weeks old when we got them and the splash polish has since been laying around one egg a day.

 

Yesterday we noticed that she was quite restless, she seemed to be pacing the hutch in the morning waiting to be let out into the garden. Despite them both having their wings clipped, later that day she managed to fly on top of our 6ft garden wall. We got her down and I clipped her other wing but she still seemed quite agitated, then once she had laid an egg she calmed down and was her usual self.

 

This morning I noticed with horror that she was crowing! My husband had let them out of the roosting enclosure as he always does and I usually open the small run and let them into the garden. She was pacing up and down the run then she cocked her head back and started to crow.

 

Now that she's out and pecking around happily she's not crowed and seems fine but I'm worried as we're away this weekend with neighbours just checking they have food and water. I've instructed them not to let them into the garden as they need someone to keep an eye on them still but they do have enough room in the small run for a couple of days. Trouble is, if she starts crowing all day I'm not going to be very popular with the neighbours! Anyone any advice?

[bluekarin]

Hens crowing tends to be egg announcing. Or there is something here I don't like. Or the neighbours are in the garden, do they have treats for me? It can take a little while for hens who have just started laying to get used to it, but they do. I wouldn't worry about them upsetting the neighbours. They won't shout for too long, unless they have run out of food.

[SherlockHolmes]

Thanks!

She normally lays at around 3-4pm and was crowing this morning. They both had plenty of food and water and nothing was disturbing them. I was watching them both for a while and she was pacing up and down the small run as if wanting to get out, then pausing to crow a proper "cock-a-doodle" albeit softer (thank goodness) before pacing again.

 

Normally I'd just go down and let them both out but we can't do that this weekend. It's the first time we've been away since we got them and will only be away 2 nights, but the neighbours will only be checking their food and water. They will open the door from the roosting area into the run every morning but won't let them into the garden as they can't stay to keep an eye on them. I only let them in the garden because I work from home so I'm here all day to keep an eye on them. They are both still exploring and even with wings clipped, can fly a fair bit. There's a large cat around who I've caught stalking them too so I like to just be around when they are out.

 

I'm worried that if they are shut up in the small run all weekend she is going to get very agitated and start crowing all day.

[bluekarin]

You can give them things to play with which might help. A bunch of greens hung up which they can try to eat. Corn on the cobs can take a while to eat. My hens have never liked greens hung up, but you never know, it might be worth a try. I am sure they will be ok, just enjoy yourself while you are away

 

Oh, and don't worry too much about the cat. Chickens tend to be quite ferocious with regards to them and will chase them. Mine chase my cats, and try to peck at my dog

[SherlockHolmes]

Good idea, I'll get some corn and other things for them to have a go at.

 

Yes I had heard that about cats but this cat is well known in the neighbourhood to be vicious and my hens are only small. Neither of them are very aggressive and will happily eat from the bird feeder with the sparrows. I am worried in case the cat has a go and they get injured.

 

I feel so mean leaving them in the small run over the weekend even though I know it's more room than some hens get their whole lives. They are so used to having the run of the garden now and to see the hen pacing up and down was quite worrying. I left them in a little longer this morning to get them used to it.

 

I've already apologised to the neighbours and had to reassure them that she is most definitely not a cock, unless cockerels lay eggs!

[The Dogmother]

One of mine sued to do that on the odd occasion; a squirt in the face with a water pistol each time she 'crowed' soon sorted that out!

[SherlockHolmes]

Thanks Dogmother. I don't really want to do this as I'm still getting the girls tame and don't want them to fear me.

She hasn't crowed at all since she's been in the garden. I've had a word with next door and they say they don't mind and are happy to watch them for 15 mins or so whilst the hens potter around the garden.

 

I'll get some corn cobs for them along with some of those hamster balls that you put treats in. That should keep them busy for at least, oooooh, a day? I might keep a few things back for the neighbours to put into the run for them.

 

Any other ideas of how to keep them occupied in a small run whilst we are away would be warmly welcomed!

[Lavenders_Blue]

Hanging greens and pecka blocks are good for keeping hens amused. Also feeding mash instead of pellets keeps them busy as it takes longer to eat. The crowing probably won't cause any problems, one of my girls likes to do a strangled cockadoodledoo occasionally, usually on a nice sunny morning... Whatever one of those is, I've forgotten Anyway, she doesn't do it very often and usually only for a minute or two at a time.

[Patricia W]

I've got 8 Polish hens- 5 white crested black and 3 VERY small frizzles. No cat comes near them- they may be small, but they aren't half feisty! And the dog gives them a wide berth.

[SherlockHolmes]

Thanks all, I shall get busy making some hanging treats for them!

I will also take a bit of a risk and advise the neighbour to let them out for a couple of hours at a time just so they can have a bit of freedom during the day.

 

When you say mash, do you mean actual potato mash by the way? Or is there a special chicken mash I'm not aware of?

 

No more crowing that I know about but I had to go out for a couple of hours this morning and kept them both in their pen. The usual white hen was pacing up and down when I got back and had no doubt been doing that all morning!

[Lavenders_Blue]

Layers mash is a type of chicken feed you can use instead of pellets. It's somewhere between crumbs and powder in texture. It takes a lot longer for the hens to eat for this reason - think of someone presenting you a plateful of peas that you have to eat one at a time with chopsticks

The downside is that it can be more messy to feed because the hens tend to fling it around a bit, but for a week's holiday it might be worth getting a bag to keep the hens occupied. I always feed mash rather than pellets out of preference to give my hens something to do.