It sounds like she knows what she needs if she has oyster shell and isn’t taking any now even though she did earlier. I didn’t mean to alarm you, it’s just good to be watchful. It is normal for them to struggle at first when they start laying. If she’s still tail down in the morning, you might...
I’d keep an eye on her too. Give her a little extra calcium maybe, to help her push the egg out (helps with muscle contractions). The droopy tail is always worrying. If she’s dust bathing she must not feel too bad though.
I still think Domino is a pullet. I found some older posts of Marzo (the hen I posted a picture of earlier) when she was younger, if you want to compare. She had the same amount of white, and it worried me too when she was young. Some are just lighter than others. Also, both my Dominique hens...
2 eggs today, from Marzo and Ebrel :)
I haven’t had any broodies yet. I figured one of the older girls would try this year, but the most I’ve had is one hen who takes a morning nap in the nest box. In her case, it seems less about hormones and more about lounging comfortably in the A/C to me…
They do behave differently at that age. My Juin, who is a devoted lap chicken and always tries to nuzzle her head under my arm like it’s mama hen’s wing, was also not interested in being held when she began laying. It took a few months before she decided she missed it, and returned to her...
Zero eggs today! My counter is covered in eggs already so I’m not complaining!
Helmi has one tail feather left. I love that she’s molting, because she’s a splash Marans and her feathers are gorgeous. I can’t help but collect as many as I can :)
2 eggs today, from Marzo and Ebrel :)
Meanwhile here’s Août looking fierce (and cute) in her chainmail armor! She always molts hard, but unlike with Juillet, she doesn’t lose her appetite.
3 today, from the young hens :)
Helmi seems to have held hers overlong before laying, because it had white bloom all over it. I guess she hasn’t quit yet!
0 eggs today, Helmi sat but she didn’t lay. She has just started molting, so I’m not sure we’ll get many more eggs from her until after the winter solstice.
That just leaves Brelly and Marzo as my active laying hens.