LER23
Songster
My white leghorn has been a very reliable layer until about a month and a half ago. Here are the things I have noted, and that I would like feedback on:
*At about the time she stopped laying, I found one "rubber" egg that might have been hers.
*About 3 weeks ago I found a fairy egg laid by her (she is my only white egglayer, so I know it was hers)
*About 2 weeks ago my labs murdered one of my flock of 6 chickens. She, though, seemed fine and as far as I can tell wasn't involved in the massacre.
*About a week ago my labs murdered 2 more of my chickens-and again my leghorn didn't seem affected, as she remained in the chicken yard and the 2 victims had gotten into the big yard.
*Since the murderous rampage my labs scare my 3 remaining chickens by charging the fence of the chicken yard, but she seems the least affected.
*It has been hot, but not sweltering here in Linn Co. Oregon, until 2 days ago when we had 100plus degrees.
*Her poop, and another chicken's poop, has been observed to be pure water, but I put it down to heat and disruptive experiences.
*Yesterday I believe I saw albumen coming out of her vent, as if she had tried to lay an egg but had no calcium for the shell.
I did put out crushed shells for them in response to that.
*Neither of my other 2 are laying either.
I am putting them out of their pen more to let them free range in the big yard (w/out dogs) in hopes that helps.
What are your thoughts? Does this sound like illness? A deficiency in feed? Trauma from the dogs?
All comments welcome including scolds. I feel like I have not practised good animal husbandry thus summer.
*At about the time she stopped laying, I found one "rubber" egg that might have been hers.
*About 3 weeks ago I found a fairy egg laid by her (she is my only white egglayer, so I know it was hers)
*About 2 weeks ago my labs murdered one of my flock of 6 chickens. She, though, seemed fine and as far as I can tell wasn't involved in the massacre.
*About a week ago my labs murdered 2 more of my chickens-and again my leghorn didn't seem affected, as she remained in the chicken yard and the 2 victims had gotten into the big yard.
*Since the murderous rampage my labs scare my 3 remaining chickens by charging the fence of the chicken yard, but she seems the least affected.
*It has been hot, but not sweltering here in Linn Co. Oregon, until 2 days ago when we had 100plus degrees.
*Her poop, and another chicken's poop, has been observed to be pure water, but I put it down to heat and disruptive experiences.
*Yesterday I believe I saw albumen coming out of her vent, as if she had tried to lay an egg but had no calcium for the shell.
I did put out crushed shells for them in response to that.
*Neither of my other 2 are laying either.
I am putting them out of their pen more to let them free range in the big yard (w/out dogs) in hopes that helps.
What are your thoughts? Does this sound like illness? A deficiency in feed? Trauma from the dogs?
All comments welcome including scolds. I feel like I have not practised good animal husbandry thus summer.