Mpetal Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Hi, I am new to all this and just got my girls two weeks ago. I have three and for the first week I was getting two eggs a day. We moved them to a new WIR at the weekend and since then only one hen has laid. It was quite stressful as we struggled to catch them. Yesterday morning there was a cracked egg in the nest box and this morning there was one with no shell at all! Could the stress of being moved on Saturday meant that one stopped laying altogether and one is now laying soft eggs? I am worried that there is something wrong although they seem bright and happy in themselves. They are eating normally and getting greens and a few treats in the afternoon. Thanks for any advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Change can throw them off a bit. Also, depending on their breed they may have a small break every so often etc. as long as they have a good quality feed and access to grit and oystershell I wouldn't worry - just keep an eye on them. Lucky girls with new WIR!! You will probably need to worm at some point - flubenvet is best and worth getting into routine early. Congrats on girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Stress could throw them off for a few days, but I would guess that it's more likely that they are just getting into the swing of laying, and the move is a coincidence. I'm assuming they are POL hens, and over the first few weeks they may lay tiny eggs, no eggs, shell-less eggs, huge double-yolkers - they take a while to settle down. The best guide to whether or not a hen is healthy is behaviour, and if they look bright, are eating and drinking, and generally active and running for treats, they are probably fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mpetal Posted August 8, 2013 Author Share Posted August 8, 2013 Thanks for your replies. It's all a bit stressful when you are new to this and although I have other animals I am new to chickens! I did worry that it was the lack of grass but I am giving them greens every day and they seem to like the weeds, dandelions etc rather than broccoli or cabbage which is good. I will just keep an eye on them and hopefully they will settle down - they were sold as POL and one of them has laid an egg most days since we got her but they are all young so as you say hopefully its just the settling down period. Thanks again - I will no doubt have more questions in the weeks to come! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
