xChicken04x Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Hiya everyone, when ever Magic finishes the nesting box there are always lots of feathers in there. Today she taken about 2 hours in there so i went to check on her and she screeched really loudly at me. So i left her to it. Then Gemma and Mischeif wanted to lay but when ever they went to the top of the ladder Magic would screech really loudly and puff her self up a bit. In the end she layed and i taken the egg away. But instead of hopping down the ladder and shouting to the world about her amazing egg, she just sat there looking very annoyed. So again i left her to it. But the Nutmeg decided she wanted to lay aswell so Magic had to be shifted. I picked her up through the egg port and plonked her down. But the she was looking up the ladder again as if she wanted to go up again. Does anyone know whats wrong with her? The amount of feathers in the nesting box was pretty alarming. She cant be moulting because she is only 28 weeks! any help apprecieated! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 She sounds like she is getting broody to me! Try and keep her out of the nest box (easier said than done) and close the door once all the others ahve laid. Try and collect the eggs quickly as this will stop her sitting. If all else fails, search for 'broody' There are several tpoics on here! Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Hiya - I've had my new chooks 4 weeks now. They were about 15 / 16 weeks when I got them. They moulted like mad when I first got them - feathers everywhere. I was a bit worried. They have also just had another little moult. But I have read that from chicks to POL, they go through 3 moults ( some are mini moults), until they get their adult feathers! I wonder what is going on with your chook? She could well be moulting! Last year, my Audrey moulted in August & then she went broody for 8 weeks! I wonder if that is what's up with your chook? Another thing, keep an eye out, that she is not feather plucking & also check for mites. Once these are ruled out, then ou can assume it's a moult. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted September 14, 2007 Author Share Posted September 14, 2007 Oh no!!! I was hoping it was just a blip!!! Well she hasnt gone broody yet because she is happily foraging but she wasnt happy being moved from the nesting box. I collected her egg after about 2 minutes of it being layed (she wasnt happy about that) I have checked for mites and lice and checked for any cuts that could be iritating her and she if fine. I'm not sure about a moult.....she looks fully matured to me (e.g no baby feathers) and she is still laying. I will try and keep her out of the nesting box but having 8 chickens (and 7 that are laying) wont be easy as they lay form 7 till 5. wish me look Thank you for the advise!! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 If you can, pick her up & dunk her bottom in cold water, before she gets the chance to go broody!!!! Sounds cruel, but it really works. Awww bless her - she's getting all maternal! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted September 14, 2007 Author Share Posted September 14, 2007 Owwww, i was hoping i wouldnt have to do any dunking.....her little bum would be all soggy and the other chickens would laugh and say she wet her self....... I'll leave her to it for a bit and if it carries on then i will have to dunk her *sob sob* xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Owwww, i was hoping i wouldnt have to do any dunking.....her little bum would be all soggy and the other chickens would laugh and say she wet her self....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Put one of those frozen blue freezer block thingummybob whatsits under her. That will cool her off. Cover it with Aubiose or whatever you like the nestbox with. It worked for my broody girl. Close the Eglu when they have all laid their egg too, so she has nowhere to sit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
