Could the reason she is not laying be that she is in a tractor with babies?

[colleen4nier]

So here is my question...

I have a 17 week old Cornish Cross who laid her first egg at 16 weeks + 2 days. It was fertilized by a rooster two days prior. It's a long story about the Cornish cross (accident turned pet). She is lame (had a broken leg that we fixed - she limps but can walk). And we slimmed her down - she's only about 7 1/2 pounds. She has her own coop that she shares with another Cornish cross. The other hens are kinda mean and the rooster is always trying to mount her. Every morning I take her out and put her in a large tractor with three 10 week olds. The other hens and roo free range. She is excellent with the babies. Before they were feathered out she let them snuggle with her. She sits back and lets them eat before she will eat.

Anyway, there is not a nesting box in the tractor. She can't step up to get into anything. The grass under the tractor is nice and plush (I move it every 2-3 days). Does she need a private area to lay? Should I be leaving her in her coop, by herself longer?

I like her being in the tractor, because then she is protected, but also gets the social interaction of the flock. My plan is when the babies get big enough to introduce to the rest of the flock, I will also integrate her too. I figure she'll be above the babies, but below the others in the pecking order. Plus since the others were raised with her, and she's still around - I'm hoping they will be more tolerant of her disability.

Thoughts?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Cornish Cross are not prolific layers, so don't expect an egg a day from her. You are lucky to get a couple of eggs a week.

I doubt it is her location that is preventing her from laying, however, frequently changing their environment can put hens off and delay laying.

While I wish I could bear good news for her place in the flock, temperament of the other birds is what is most important. Birds instinctively drive off the infirm or different as they are predator magnets to the flock.

I use sweet little broody bantams. I have consistently seen their hatched babes (fostered from other breeds) grow up to be mean to mom as the pecking order shifted and they saw the Silkie tuft as odd or harassed the slow waddling Cochin.

Some breeds are much better than others.

As a possible solution to your current problems, I would put in a very low level box with soft shavings that has 3 sides and one no side to act as a nesting spot to give her some consistency. That could help in tractor movement.

And carefully watch the pecking order as those 10 weeks grow. There may be a time they jostle to climb the ladder. Often it is the lowest (healthy bird) on the new pecking order that claws the hardest up the ladder when given a chance, and if that is to pick on the weak bird in the flock, that is what seems to happen.

Then finally watch to see if you have a mellow, chill gal that could keep her company in her tractor or wherever you isolate, because it is not likely she will do well ranging with the others. She might, but chances are she will continue to be hazed by the more aggressive birds.

If no one seems to fit the bill to keep her company, you may want to get a bantam or two to be her friends. Bantam Cochins are adorable dust mops and waddle more than anything, which would be her speed. (Warning, bantam Cochins often brood, don't lay well, but are addicting, adorable little dust mops. I've got mille fleur that absolutely delight my heart though aren't "worth much" in the scheme of things as they are now not laying and not brooding).

Your Cornish Cross likely won't be the longest lived in your flock, but she can have a peaceful little life in a side coop with a buddy.

My thoughts.
LofMc

 

[colleen4nier]

Cornish Cross are not prolific layers, so don't expect an egg a day from her. You are lucky to get a couple of eggs a week.

I doubt it is her location that is preventing her from laying, however, frequently changing their environment can put hens off and delay laying.

While I wish I could bear good news for her place in the flock, temperament of the other birds is what is most important. Birds instinctively drive off the infirm or different as they are predator magnets to the flock.

I use sweet little broody bantams. I have consistently seen their hatched babes (fostered from other breeds) grow up to be mean to mom as the pecking order shifted and they saw the Silkie tuft as odd or harassed the slow waddling Cochin.

Some breeds are much better than others.

As a possible solution to your current problems, I would put in a very low level box with soft shavings that has 3 sides and one no side to act as a nesting spot to give her some consistency. That could help in tractor movement.

And carefully watch the pecking order as those 10 weeks grow. There may be a time they jostle to climb the ladder. Often it is the lowest (healthy bird) on the new pecking order that claws the hardest up the ladder when given a chance, and if that is to pick on the weak bird in the flock, that is what seems to happen.

Then finally watch to see if you have a mellow, chill gal that could keep her company in her tractor or wherever you isolate, because it is not likely she will do well ranging with the others. She might, but chances are she will continue to be hazed by the more aggressive birds.

If no one seems to fit the bill to keep her company, you may want to get a bantam or two to be her friends. Bantam Cochins are adorable dust mops and waddle more than anything, which would be her speed. (Warning, bantam Cochins often brood, don't lay well, but are addicting, adorable little dust mops. I've got mille fleur that absolutely delight my heart though aren't "worth much" in the scheme of things as they are now not laying and not brooding).

Your Cornish Cross likely won't be the longest lived in your flock, but she can have a peaceful little life in a side coop with a buddy.

My thoughts.
LofMc

 

[colleen4nier]

Thank you for your wise words. I was afraid that might be the case, although I'll still hope for the best. We do have another Cornish cross (not lame) that shares her coop with her at night. She is very calm and tolerant of Tweety (the lame one). I do like for her to free range though because she needs the exercise. I like your idea about the box. I will make her one.

If we end up trying to breed some, I will give her the eggs to go broody over. She is a very good mommy. I know her life expectancy will be short lived - I just want to give her the best life I can, while she is with us. Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[colleen4nier]

She just laid her second egg!!!! That is two in 4 days!!! ...and it is perfect.