I will check for night mites at night. But I have realized that more hens are laying than I thought; just not everyday day more like every other other day.
I give them a treat once a day after breakfast (it's become the ritual), from old bread to watermelon rinds or other pieces of fruit (no citrus). They always have oyster shell available. As for the fecal sample I'm not sure, they look healthy and a good weight, but I know outside looks can be...
My coop is set up with a small protected run and then we added a much larger fenced in yard. There's no place except one where they would lay an egg, and I check that spot regularly.
I feed them flock raiser since not all of them are laying I didn't want the extra calcium in layer to hurt their kidneys. I live on the coast, and are hottest days have been in the mid 60's or below. We have had some predators, but nothing that I know that visited them directly. They don't eat...
I was actually thinking could worms be a possibility? I don't see any in their poop, and no, I have never wormed them. I will check for mites next time I go out.
I have 4 BR and 5 RIR and am only getting 0-2 eggs a day and out of the same hens. I'm trying to figure out why the others aren't laying. They get plenty of sleep, food, water,and have a big fenced yard. I've looked to see if they've been laying in the yard but have found nothing. Only one of...
My RIR is not herself today. She is usually loud and in your face, but today she quiet and sluggish. I haven't heard one peep and that's rare. I found her in the nesting box this morning so I thought she was laying an egg. She gets up and here's this huge pile of nasty green runny poop in the...
One of my barred rocks has an orange comb. It is usually red, but she is not laying right now. We have had a ton of rain recently, so could the weather affect her? I just want to make sure that an orange comb is nothing to be worried about.
I have a RIR who mounts my other girls. She lays eggs and squats, but she does have mini spurs. She doesn't crow so I just think it's a show of dominance. Even though the mini spurs are a little weird
Like Brookiejo said check for impacted crop or an egg that is stuck. You could also check for lice and mites.
If she does not have impacted crop, try to get food in her. Scrambled eggs is a favorite.
I gave her some yogurt and she ate a little. I said a little prayer, and then had to go into town for a couple hours. I came home and she was back to herself! I've kept my eye on her, but she looks great again!
Thank you for the help though!
I will try both! I picked her up for a short while to check for lice around her vent and her crop felt fine. But will do a more thorough check!
She's one of my favorites! Would hate to lose her!
I have a BR who has had many problems in the past. In August of last year she had sour crop, a virus, and was egg bound all in a row. She recovered, except for a slight limp, but is otherwise fine. She became a year old in April, and is the diva of my flock. She talks all the time and loves...
I had a better look at them this morning and they looked better then I saw last night. Blaming the lighting. My neighbors and I have a very good relationship and I know they won't mind with the oatmeal and yogurt. I gave them a little today and they picked at it. I was surprised as I took the...
I am taking care of my neighbors chickens for 4 days, and they told me that they are receiving 3-4 eggs a day out of 8 hens. I looked at them tonight when I was shutting them in their coop, and some of them look skinny and don't have the shiny feathers that I would expect this time of year. I'm...
Their combs are still small. Once they get redder and bigger they'll be close to laying!
I do have a RIR though who has a small comb while all the others are big. Guess it just depends on the bird.
I have 9 layers and get 5-9 eggs a day. I really don't know how many dozen I sell, but my girls pay for their own feed. I sell mine for $4 a dozen. I now have over $100 in egg money. Of course, I'll never come out even. But it is nice that their feed is taken care of by them.
I have Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds. I was thinking of getting Australorps, but I didn't want to deal with any broodiness. As for egg laying, they're both fantastic! RIR are a little better than the BR but out of 9 chickens I get 5-9 eggs a day.