2018 Newbie Chat!

[Anna Ranieri]

All that is completely normal.
Their hormones are changing now that they’ve come into lay and they aren’t really sure what’s happening.
They just know they need a nest area.
They’ll get used to it quickly.
Blood streaks happen with brand new layers but should go away very soon.
Many chicken breeds that lay extra large or jumbo eggs are actually not the largest breeds.
Many large breeds lay a small to medium sized egg.
One of the huge pluses when pullets start laying is the personality change.
They often become less skittish and flighty than they were when younger and gain some confidence.
You’re also going to see how they all want to use the same box lol!
And one will be in there and the other one needs to lay and she insists on the same box the first girl is in and stomps around complaining about it very loudly.
It’s pretty funny.
Unfortunately they become louder after they start laying.

Thank you so much, I was hoping you would give me some advice and I feel loads better knowing its all normal
What you have said about them wanting to use the same box, explains a lot to me, they started off sitting in the other nest areas but then kept poking their heads in through the opening to the nest where Lilah is while she is laying and she goes crazy, she does this scream which sounds like something out of a horror movie and the girls come flying out squawking their heads off obviously having been told off by Lilah, and then later while Jellybean was in laying, Pedro got in with her which annoyed Jellybean and I thought to myself then, they've got more than one nest area why they all after that one and now I know why
Lilah also does this kind of growl which sounds very similar to a dogs growl, its so funny to hear.
The two pullets didn't lay today how ever Pedro still insisted on emptying half the bedding out this morning. When Lilah lays she barely moves the bedding, if at all, but the other two kick it everywhere so I decided to leave it until just before bedtime before I refill it.
I have noticed Jellybean now does that submissive squat thing which Lilah does but Pedro doesn't, other than that I haven't noticed any other changes but I'm looking forward to the changes you have mentioned, especially if it means they'll back off from chasing Roo, but at the moment it is relentless and Pedro is actually chasing her more than usual, which I assume is down to her hormones but still winds me up .
Roo has grown loads, she's 15 weeks today and is already bigger than all the females including my duck hens, however her size doesn't intimidate any of them at all but I wish it did, especially as now they all can fit in Roo's hidey holes better than she can

 

[PNW_Peepers]

I’m at a complete loss for what to do. Ash has been extremely broody, she sits non stop when she’s in the coop. The moment I move her to a better location (that isn’t two feet above the ground) she looses it. Paces back and forth, she will not sit. I want chicks but I won’t let her hatch them in the coop. I currently have her in the garage again as she was agitating the rest of the flock by egg stealing and taking the prime nest box.

 

[llombardo]

I’m at a complete loss for what to do. Ash has been extremely broody, she sits non stop when she’s in the coop. The moment I move her to a better location (that isn’t two feet above the ground) she looses it. Paces back and forth, she will not sit. I want chicks but I won’t let her hatch them in the coop. I currently have her in the garage again as she was agitating the rest of the flock by egg stealing and taking the prime nest box.

What about letting her hatch them and them movibg them immediately?

 

[llombardo]

Well guys, a snow storm is coming. Heavy snow, wind, the whole package. 4-12 inches..looks like I'm going to be busy the next 24 hours. I really can't remember getting a snow storm like they are saying this early in the season for a long long time.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

I’m at a complete loss for what to do. Ash has been extremely broody, she sits non stop when she’s in the coop. The moment I move her to a better location (that isn’t two feet above the ground) she looses it. Paces back and forth, she will not sit. I want chicks but I won’t let her hatch them in the coop. I currently have her in the garage again as she was agitating the rest of the flock by egg stealing and taking the prime nest box.

Really feel for you -must be so worrying

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Well guys, a snow storm is coming. Heavy snow, wind, the whole package. 4-12 inches..looks like I'm going to be busy the next 24 hours. I really can't remember getting a snow storm like they are saying this early in the season for a long long time.

Hope all goes well for you and is over and done with fast!

 

[Anna Ranieri]

I've read that the first eggs can sometimes have streaks of blood on them, especially when big. If she was mine, I'd just keep an eye on her and make sure there's no blood around her vent.

So far so good, her vent is clear. She didn't lay today but I will keep a close eye on her and check her vent regularly. Thanks again for the good advice

 

[PNW_Peepers]

What about letting her hatch them and them movibg them immediately?

I’m going to try this! What a brilliant idea. I’ll mark the eggs I want to hatch with an x, and take away the “community” eggs daily. You’re a genius! Thanks for the idea

 

[llombardo]

So far so good, her vent is clear. She didn't lay today but I will keep a close eye on her and check her vent regularly. Thanks again for the good advice

It's hard work producing an egg. I remember when Rain the barred rock was laying her first egg. I really felt bad for her, it was literally like she was in labor. Me and Prince were on stand by. He never left her side.

 

[llombardo]

Well that icky weather is here. I just ran out and put a 4x4 sheet of plastic on the top to give them a little more cover. Now I'm soaking wet and my fingers and toes are frozen, but those little ones have a bigger area to stay dry. I still do not like how wet they get, especially in the colder temps.