HarleyBarley
Chirping
Hello all. First time owner here. I raised my girls from chicks and we're in our first laying season. I have 2 (maybe 3, her feathers are an odd pattern) Barnvelders, 1 SLW and one EE. I was giving a few of my girls the once over and noticed that my Barnvelders have yellow vents. Should I be concerned? Is this typical of breeds that aren't strong layers?
I have no issues with pasty butt, but there are a few suspect poops. I think I've identified them as cecal poop (dark, slick, not mucusy nor have I noticed any blood present). I also have corid in our water as a preventative as we have had NOTHING but rain (wettest march since 1930). They get their purina layena along with some type of fresh veggie each day.
Of the three Barnvelders I'm getting maybe 3-4 eggs a week. I'm wondering if they're even all laying. I know typically a Barnvelder lays approx. 180 a year, so I'm thinking this must be about right.
I'm really trying to identify who all is laying. I am pretty sure my EE is broody as well, I found her in the besting box arranging the hay and I've seen some pretty massive poops around as well.
What do you do when you need to break a broody hen but want your other girls to have access to the nesting box?
Thanks for all your wisdom!
I have no issues with pasty butt, but there are a few suspect poops. I think I've identified them as cecal poop (dark, slick, not mucusy nor have I noticed any blood present). I also have corid in our water as a preventative as we have had NOTHING but rain (wettest march since 1930). They get their purina layena along with some type of fresh veggie each day.
Of the three Barnvelders I'm getting maybe 3-4 eggs a week. I'm wondering if they're even all laying. I know typically a Barnvelder lays approx. 180 a year, so I'm thinking this must be about right.
I'm really trying to identify who all is laying. I am pretty sure my EE is broody as well, I found her in the besting box arranging the hay and I've seen some pretty massive poops around as well.
What do you do when you need to break a broody hen but want your other girls to have access to the nesting box?
Thanks for all your wisdom!