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

[daisyisarobot]

Hello, I'm hoping someone can offer me some advice. The BHWT phone line is closed for the night & I don't know whether I'm over reacting... One of our ex bats, Queenie, has been in the nest box all evening. She's usually first to the door when I let them out but she's sat up there

 

I managed to get her to move & under her are all the rubber eggs (but one of our other chickens has a habit of rounding them up) & a really weird looking poop. It's longish, grey/brown and surrounded in liquid. I've looked on the poo guide & it doesn't look like any of them!

 

Should I try and move her or leave her to rest? Or is she broody and needs encouraging out?

[daisyisarobot]

Just took the back off the Cube & she's not actually laying down. Just stood in the corner.

[gavclojak]

Maybe broody, was the poo big and smelly? That usually indicates a broody girlie

[daisyisarobot]

Thank you! I ended up encouraging her out & she went outside for food & water then returned to her corner of the nest box. The usual nest box resident, Bjork, is not pleased!

[good_egg]

I don't think ex-batts are prone to broodyness being hybrids... Could the "poop" have been a lash? Have a google for pics.

[sparkysmum]

Sounds unwell to me. Sorry. Commercial egg layers have had broodiness bred out of them so unlikey to be that. hope she picks up. Ax

[daisyisarobot]

I thought so too but hoping for broodiness rather than illness She's my favourite hen too.

 

Not a lash but I think the liquid was from a softie. One of the girls produces a softie every day, always has and it ends up squashed in the egg box.

 

Stressful evening!

[gavclojak]

How is she today?

[daisyisarobot]

Hello She came out of the Cube as normal this morning but as I left to go to work I saw her asleep in the big run which is very odd behavour for her. At least I know she's eating & drinking. I'm going to pop home in a mo and check on her then sit out with them this evening.

 

I know we shouldn't have favourites but she really is the funniest of the bunch so if she 'goes', I'll be blooming heartbroken!

[daisyisarobot]

She's much better today - hurrah!! Still a wee bit slower than the rest but she ran over for a grape earlier. Phew!

[gavclojak]

Oh that's good news so glad to hear it. It's strange you said that as today I went to the girls after work with some grapes and two jumped up on to my lap for the first time ever! Am So proud