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

[Soo66]

I think I just want reassurance. Got two ex batts on Sunday. One feisty little thing, one rather sad girly. I have given them crumb as instructed and they seem to be settling but they have both laid practically shell less eggs each day since Sunday....two each on Monday!

I have put out grit, oyster shell etc and kept them in the run to make sure they are both eating. Also put a general poultry tonic in their water. Both have "trimmed" beaks, I don't know if that matters.

Poor things don't understand so much...they just don't "get" lettuce treats etc but I'm assuming that will come.

Really just want someone to tell me it will settle, they will learn to be like my other, quite frankly bossyboots pair and the shells will come.

Actually I'm not even much bothered if the shells don't come...except it's pretty icky clearing up ready scrambled eggs from the coop...as long as it's not a sign of illness, just a deficiency that I can sort out.

Sorry for such a long post.

[gavclojak]

It may very well be the stress of the rehoming and it is going to take a few days to settle. I think you can add limestone powder as a calcium supplement but I think once they settle the eggs will start flowing. it can happen to hens occasionally and as its happening to both I would say its stress, and also if they are ex commercial hens the farmer usually starves them for 24 hours prior to slaughter so that may interrupt the egg laying for a little while

 

Where did you pick your girls up from?

[Soo66]

Got them from BHWT. Re homing was in Totham...think that's how it's spelled, but no idea where they came from before that. I do know it must've have been a dreadfully scary day for them so stress seems likely...hopefully.

I'll have a look for some limestone for their water and keep everything quiet for them...early days!

Thanks for the advice

[gavclojak]

Ah I know where they came from! They are Essex girls!!!

We did the rehoming from the same farm on Saturday and the Essex team went in on Sunday so I assume you got those lucky lovelies...thank you so much for taking on these girls, they so deserve their well earned retirement.

[Soo66]

[Soo66]

Sorry! Bigger than I imagined it would be....we could only get them walking away and their little bare bottoms...they are little, not humongous as this photo would have you believe...made me so sad.

But give it a few weeks and they'll be gorgeous.

Huge thanks to the volunteers at BHWT...I don't know how you do it. But I'm glad that you do.

Edited June 2, 2015 by Guest

[jimnpaula]

Well done for getting ex commercial birds! Yes, it will take them a while to get used to... everything really Whoa sky, whoa grass etc it's got to be stressful, but they will quickly get the hang of things. It needed my new girls to teach the ex batts that cabbage was something to be eaten and not something to be scared of.

 

Limestone flour is calcium powder that you put on their food, you can get soluble calcium that goes in their water.

[gavclojak]

Excellent photo!! So lovely seeing them out and about in the real world, bless their hearts.

They make me very proud

[Soo66]

Lucille died today. She only had four weeks. I'm totally beside myself. She seemed fine up until yesterday afternoon, although not coming along as well as Spam, she was eating and seemed to be happy. Then yesterday afternoon she fluffed up and just sat. Rita, first chicken, from a breeder, Ms boosyboots, started harassing her so I shut her off and left Luc with food and water.

Today she was in the Go nest box barely breathing and half an hour later was dead.

Four weeks is so unfair.

[Grandmashazzie]

Sorry you lost your girlie. At least she had a chance to walk on grass and feel the sun on her face, although only for a short time,sometimes the stress is just too much for them.

[Soo66]

[jimnpaula]

Sorry to hear this One of my last lot of rescues didn't last very long but at least Lucille and my Tequilla were free when they left us.

[gavclojak]

Sorry to hear this One of my last lot of rescues didn't last very long but at least Lucille and my Tequilla were free when they left us.

 

Exactly paula!!

I am dreadfully sorry for you but you gave her a chance and she died quickly, with dignity and loved...she had a name.

Sleep tight little girl x

[Soo66]

Sorry to hear this One of my last lot of rescues didn't last very long but at least Lucille and my Tequilla were free when they left us.

Perhaps we got them from the same place...I understand the last lot of Kent and Essex rescues (a Sat and Sun at the end of May) were from the same "establishment".

I take heart that she died in a good place but far far too soon.

[gavclojak]

Sorry to hear this One of my last lot of rescues didn't last very long but at least Lucille and my Tequilla were free when they left us.

Perhaps we got them from the same place...I understand the last lot of Kent and Essex rescues (a Sat and Sun at the end of May) were from the same "establishment".

I take heart that she died in a good place but far far too soon.

 

The last few 5 or 6 of the the rehomings have taken place from the same colony unit, but paulas girls were from a farm in sherwood if I remember correctly. Having seen the sheer numbers of hens taken out and indeed those left behind I think its just down to bad luck sometimes.

Some deal with the stress of the rehoming better than others and as paula said occasionally they just don't thrieve. Very sad