So the bi*** are in the huff...

[Big Al]

Ok folks, so the chickens we have are now about 8 and 10 months old and quite happy to free range around the garden all day causing mayhem and catastrophy all day long in return for 12 eggs a week. It's now planting time and so we have built a really des res coup for them and fenced them in...... only one has continued laying and the other is in the huff big time refusing to lay now for 4 days. I know they get upset but how long will this one stay in the huff ??

A ny thoughts appreciated.

BA

[oldjerry]

Try bringing them in grass cuttings weeds etc(like you did for rabbits when you were a kid),it's probably what they're missing Al. I guess you've already hung up cabbage/dock leaves etc.

[Milims]

Ours like cake!

[Millymollymandy]

That's not going to help them lay Milims. Anyway you need EGGS to make cake.

[Millymollymandy]

More seriously, what are you feeding them, and are you providing them with crushed oyster shell and grit? They'll get the grit and greens they need from free ranging but as Jerry said they now need to be fed extra greens (limited grass in a small pen is not enough, anyway it won't last long!). Oyster shell is calcium which they need for egg production - a certain amount is available in layers pellets, but not necessarily enough. Or they might just be sulking - can't you just fence off your veg patch and let them carry on free ranging?

[boboff]

I think you need to teach it to apprecaite you more Al, that it can't be all take take take.

Perhaps show it a video of Battery Farming, and make it appreicate how lucky it is.

Or you could shout at it, then pull your trousers down pull a strained face and seriptitously drop an egg on the floor as if you had extcreted it from your bum, and then say, "see, thats what you should be doing!"

If I can be of any other assitance with other husbandry related matters, then please feel free to ask. ( it was the chickens,and not wife and daughter you were refering to?)

[oldjerry]

Hmm boboff,prehaps you could be of assistance to anyone on here whose boar is reluctant to perform...............

[Big Al]

I did shout at the one I thought was in the huff and said it was time for a chicken pie if she didn't give me anything and low and behold ser did...... but then she was the one giving all the time, .

We feed them on layers pellets with extra greens now such as docks, dandilions and nettles. I was out getting 2 bin bags full at 5.45 this morning. They also get plenty of grits from the likes of sharp sand, and proper grit from the shop. I also crush up old egg shells.the fenced in bit is quite large, about 70% of the area they used to have but when they were out the also went next door and my neighbour has his plantings out now as well. They also get worms as I dig the soil over and also the dried maggot type things that are for wild birds which they love.

We have also been told there is a fox and cub a few gardens away so they need to be more secure now.

[Millymollymandy]

Think you'll just have to be patient Big Al! You're doing all the right things but hens are hens and if they want to go off lay for a bit they will!

[Big Al]

Thought as much, well she'll get another week or so then......

[red]

a change unsettles them.. i reckon they will come round

[Big Al]

a change unsettles them.. i reckon they will come round

Well if this is the case they will not be laying for a good hile , lol. The one that has stopped laying laid one yesterday and it was only a crushed flat shell with a bit of runny membrane so I've changed the mixed grit for pure ouyster shell grit today but also bought 2 new birds and the two older birds are fightiong like bu%%%% y with the two newcommers. When they were both docile they are now arniverous evil little bleeps....

Having said that they are all now in the coup all asleep but I bet hell will be let loose again tomorrow.

[Millymollymandy]

Oh they do change when you introduce newbies - suddenly you are very sorry for your newbies and think your previously lovely oldies are horrid evil meanies! They will settle down eventually.

[MKG]

That's a bit unfair, MMM. Most of our mods are quite good -

oh ... you're talking about hens ...

Mike

[Big Al]

Oh they do change when you introduce newbies - suddenly you are very sorry for your newbies and think your previously lovely oldies are horrid evil meanies! They will settle down eventually.

Orinonally when we got the second the first one pecked at her for a few days and my wife called her casserole....

I was seriously thinking of knecking one last night but she survived the night...