Do chickens "miss" their owners ???

[SAMnELLA]

Well, maybe not "exactly" the same time. But she must be pooping on it right after. Gross. Is it OK to wash it off just with water ?

 

[JadedPhoenix]

A quick rinse, sure. I would keep a toothbrush that is dedicated to cleaning the eggs handy when sorting the eggs. It helps with getting the poo that has dried off.

 

[Junibutt]

My RIR stopped laying mid January when I had to suddenly remove her sister due to frost-bite.
Its more than 2 months now and she hasn't resumed. I re-introduced her sister back last week into the coup. Funny thing is that she does not even recognize her anymore. I don't know what to do with her as she is my kids pet and can't give her away.

Here is her condition: turned 2 years old yesterday, healthy, perky, nice shiny feathers. No signs of molting, lice or mite, no intimidation from anyone since she is at the top of the pecking order. Vent looks healthy and I am clueless!

 

[JadedPhoenix]

After two months, it will take a while for the hen to accept her sister. Yes, after two months, they won't remember one another. As a result, you'll have to just take it slowly as if she is a new hen completely. Be patient.

 

[Kikiriki]

The other thing I can't figure out is that one of the hens is pooping on her eggs when she lays an egg.  They aren't doing it because they are roosting in there, because I cleaned out the nest and waited for her to lay an egg today, so she's doing it at the same time she lays the egg. LOL

I read in a post here (on BYC) that it can be a sign of worms. Don't ask why...I have no idea! But I can say that when I had dirty eggs and wormed the chickens, the problem stopped.

 

[SAMnELLA]

Could they have worms that you don't see ? Also one hen is sitting on eggs. Would it bother the eggs to worm them ?

 

[Junibutt]

After two months, it will take a while for the hen to accept her sister. Yes, after two months, they won't remember one another. As a result, you'll have to just take it slowly as if she is a new hen completely. Be patient.

The problem is not integration, the alpha stopped laying due to separation and is not getting back to laying.

 

[Kikiriki]

Could they have worms that you don't see ?  Also one hen is sitting on eggs.  Would it bother the eggs to worm them ?

Yes, chickens can have worms inside them that you don't see. Other signs are dull feathers, weight loss, pale where they should be red, and increased feed intake without gaining weight. If you have a microscope, you can check a fecal smear. Otherwise you need a vet to do it, or just go ahead and worm them.

Worms and worming are covered extensively in other threads, so I recommend you do a search. Type of wormer depends upon type of worms. Some wormers have a longer period for withholding from egg collection, but of course it will not affect eggs already laid.

I tried a natural wormer, but then had to go to a chemical one. I threw out our eggs for almost 2 months. Frustrating, but worms are serious. It can affect hen health, making them susceptible to other illness, even if they survive the worms.

I am not an expert, by any means, so I really do suggest you research.

 

[SAMnELLA]

None of those symptoms except pooping on their eggs and one hen has a runny poo. What I mean by the wormer affecting the eggs is if a hen is laying fertile eggs while being given a dewormer. Thanks, I am researching everything right now.