Illinois...

[jerseyridgearts]

I'm wondering if it's due to the high heat this year? The BRs don't look stressed out but maybe that's why they're late to lay. As for the percentage of roos - I sure hope it's not 50%. Thanks for all the input

 

[chickendreams24]

Well guys things are insane around here. But speaking of egg tallies ours has been astronomically bad. Yesterday we got a grand total of 1. Yep one! If we get four in a day right now that's doing good. They've been inside for several days due to the dang fox. We have a buff Orpington, an OEGB, and two silkies that are broody. That being said by my count we should be getting at least 8 or 6 a day even with the number of birds we lost/sold this year. It's insane! I went from 12-18 a day to 2 if I'm lucky! Day before yesterday we got none! I see no signs of a hidden nest and all the girls are healthy and well again. I can think of no explanation except the heat.

 

[Faraday40]

Well guys things are insane around here. But speaking of egg tallies ours has been astronomically bad. Yesterday we got a grand total of 1. Yep one! If we get four in a day right now that's doing good. They've been inside for several days due to the dang fox. We have a buff Orpington, an OEGB, and two silkies that are broody. That being said by my count we should be getting at least 8 or 6 a day even with the number of birds we lost/sold this year. It's insane! I went from 12-18 a day to 2 if I'm lucky! Day before yesterday we got none! I see no signs of a hidden nest and all the girls are healthy and well again. I can think of no explanation except the heat.

Wow that is very low! Are any molting early?

Today we have 9 hens. 3 are broody, so I should be getting 4-6 eggs per day. I also have 3 pullets that should start laying.

On Thurs. we sold 2 hens. I suspect the sudden change of flock dynamics has something to do with it. Both sold hens were laying an egg a day. I wanted to keep them for another month, but the opportunity of a great home with visiting rights won out over getting a few more eggs this month. Their new home is only a few blocks away.

So here's a ? for you. We have 2 lovely Appenzeller Spitzhaubens pullets. Only plan to keep one, but having trouble deciding which one. Meanwhile DD started training them to come & fly onto our arm when called. I think it's necessary to train the flying breeds or we'd never be able to catch them during the day. (The Orps can just be scooped up since they only run toward us & never away. LOL). That flying trick seems to amaze all our visitors. Would a trained pullet sell for more? They're a rare breed & not something I want to breed myself, so I have no idea how much to ask.

 

[Junibutt]

Sorry guys, have been away from a week or so therefore missed all the discussion here. I have couple of issues where I can use some recommendations:

1. Stray Cat: It has been coming around for 3 days in a row at night and hanging around the coop that has the broody and the chicks. Last night I just peeped out the window around mind-night and saw it sitting right next to the coop where the chicks were. I scared it away but I am almost positive it will be back again tonight:

• I see its stomach is all pulled in so its hungry. Shall I just give it some food so that it doesn't try anything out of desperation? Or is it a bad idea because it will become a permanent visitor.
• Does anyone know if killing stray cats is allowed in Chicago. I was thinking of using a pellet gun

2. Broody behavior but not broody: One of my Legbars has been running around acting broody, making broody sounds, puffing up and beating up any other hen below her pecking order that comes close to her. This has been going on for 5-6 weeks now. However, she does not sit, lays 5-6 eggs a week. Has anyone observed this kind of behavior? I understand this could be some hormonal imbalance, but she does not sit except for a few minutes to lay her egg. I am kind off getting tired of having to go out and break her from beating others up. I am beginning to wonder if she has some sort of tumor thats causing it. P.S. She is still super nice to me and my son.

 

[Molpet]

Sorry guys, have been away from a week or so therefore missed all the discussion here. I have couple of issues where I can use some recommendations:

1. Stray Cat: It has been coming around for 3 days in a row at night and hanging around the coop that has the broody and the chicks. Last night I just peeped out the window around mind-night and saw it sitting right next to the coop where the chicks were. I scared it away but I am almost positive it will be back again tonight:

• I see its stomach is all pulled in so its hungry. Shall I just give it some food so that it doesn't try anything out of desperation? Or is it a bad idea because it will become a permanent visitor.
• Does anyone know if killing stray cats is allowed in Chicago. I was thinking of using a pellet gun

2. Broody behavior but not broody: One of my Legbars has been running around acting broody, making broody sounds, puffing up and beating up any other hen below her pecking order that comes close to her. This has been going on for 5-6 weeks now. However, she does not sit, lays 5-6 eggs a week. Has anyone observed this kind of behavior? I understand this could be some hormonal imbalance, but she does not sit except for a few minutes to lay her egg. I am kind off getting tired of having to go out and break her from beating others up. I am beginning to wonder if she has some sort of tumor thats causing it. P.S. She is still super nice to me and my son.

feeding it may help, but yes it will stay by a food source....
would animal control pick it up?
by me as soon as one predator is removed another takes it's place....
looks like they are enourageing strays to keep the rats down http://chicagoist.com/2016/04/07/feral_cats_could_solve_chicagos_rat.php

 

[Junibutt]

feeding it may help, but yes it will stay by a food source....
would animal control pick it up?
by me as soon as one predator is removed another takes it's place....
looks like they are enourageing strays to keep the rats down http://chicagoist.com/2016/04/07/feral_cats_could_solve_chicagos_rat.php

Thanks for the article, it does look like one of the domestic cats and not a wild one. The problem is that there have been very few rats in our alley for the past 2 years and re-emergence of mice kind of testifies to that. So the cat must be starving and looking for food. I will probably give her some food but place it couple of houses away. Lets see if it works!

 

[ChicagoClucker]

Sorry guys, have been away from a week or so therefore missed all the discussion here. I have couple of issues where I can use some recommendations:

1. Stray Cat: It has been coming around for 3 days in a row at night and hanging around the coop that has the broody and the chicks. Last night I just peeped out the window around mind-night and saw it sitting right next to the coop where the chicks were. I scared it away but I am almost positive it will be back again tonight:

• I see its stomach is all pulled in so its hungry. Shall I just give it some food so that it doesn't try anything out of desperation? Or is it a bad idea because it will become a permanent visitor.
• Does anyone know if killing stray cats is allowed in Chicago. I was thinking of using a pellet gun

2. Broody behavior but not broody: One of my Legbars has been running around acting broody, making broody sounds, puffing up and beating up any other hen below her pecking order that comes close to her. This has been going on for 5-6 weeks now. However, she does not sit, lays 5-6 eggs a week. Has anyone observed this kind of behavior? I understand this could be some hormonal imbalance, but she does not sit except for a few minutes to lay her egg. I am kind off getting tired of having to go out and break her from beating others up. I am beginning to wonder if she has some sort of tumor thats causing it. P.S. She is still super nice to me and my son.

I say feed the stray. From everything I have seen, including the strays by me, they won't bother the chickens, but I would worry about the chicks. If you feed him, he shouldn't bother the chicks and it could be a plus for mice/rat control. It might also help keep other predators away.

And since its illegal to trap raccoons, opossums and such in Chicago, I am sure its illegal to kill a stray cat. I would say its more beneficial than a nuisance.

 

[Junibutt]

I say feed the stray. From everything I have seen, including the strays by me, they won't bother the chickens, but I would worry about the chicks. If you feed him, he shouldn't bother the chicks and it could be a plus for mice/rat control. It might also help keep other predators away.

And since its illegal to trap raccoons, opossums and such in Chicago, I am sure its illegal to kill a stray cat. I would say its more beneficial than a nuisance.

I will try that!

 

[Faraday40]

Sorry guys, have been away from a week or so therefore missed all the discussion here. I have couple of issues where I can use some recommendations:

1. Stray Cat: It has been coming around for 3 days in a row at night and hanging around the coop that has the broody and the chicks. Last night I just peeped out the window around mind-night and saw it sitting right next to the coop where the chicks were. I scared it away but I am almost positive it will be back again tonight:

• I see its stomach is all pulled in so its hungry. Shall I just give it some food so that it doesn't try anything out of desperation? Or is it a bad idea because it will become a permanent visitor.
• Does anyone know if killing stray cats is allowed in Chicago. I was thinking of using a pellet gun

2. Broody behavior but not broody: One of my Legbars has been running around acting broody, making broody sounds, puffing up and beating up any other hen below her pecking order that comes close to her. This has been going on for 5-6 weeks now. However, she does not sit, lays 5-6 eggs a week. Has anyone observed this kind of behavior? I understand this could be some hormonal imbalance, but she does not sit except for a few minutes to lay her egg. I am kind off getting tired of having to go out and break her from beating others up. I am beginning to wonder if she has some sort of tumor thats causing it. P.S. She is still super nice to me and my son.

1. If I did not have the allergies, I'd be getting an outdoor cat. When I was in HS, my parents fed a stray & she kept the chipmunks from destroying the flower gardens. They built a heated "cat house" for her and she stayed on the property for about 16 yrs. She slowly became a pet & when she allowed people to pet her, she got a flea collar & vaccinations. (She was not a kitten when she arrived, but must have been a spayed pet b/c never had kittens.) If you are against having a cat or would like choose your cat, then I would call animal control. It would be better than starving to death.

2. My chickens act like you describe during their pre-broody phase, but it usually only lasts a week. I have a few that get pecky & grumpy while they're laying an egg, but not for more than an hour or so a day. Then back to normal. If your hen hasn't started sitting for you in all that time, perhaps you could try "breaking" her in a wire cage. OR You could give her a nest filled with eggs in a separate cage. If she sits on them, then you have a broody. If she wants no part of the eggs, then the separation should kick her out of the broody in-between state.
2B. Was there a change in the flock? Perhaps they're trying to find a new pecking order. Every time a chicken comes or goes, the flock must adjust. (This is what I'm dealing with now & it will continue until we're down to our final winter number.)

 

[Junibutt]

1. If I did not have the allergies, I'd be getting an outdoor cat. When I was in HS, my parents fed a stray & she kept the chipmunks from destroying the flower gardens. They built a heated "cat house" for her and she stayed on the property for about 16 yrs. She slowly became a pet & when she allowed people to pet her, she got a flea collar & vaccinations. (She was not a kitten when she arrived, but must have been a spayed pet b/c never had kittens.) If you are against having a cat or would like choose your cat, then I would call animal control. It would be better than starving to death.

2. My chickens act like you describe during their pre-broody phase, but it usually only lasts a week. I have a few that get pecky & grumpy while they're laying an egg, but not for more than an hour or so a day. Then back to normal. If your hen hasn't started sitting for you in all that time, perhaps you could try "breaking" her in a wire cage. OR You could give her a nest filled with eggs in a separate cage. If she sits on them, then you have a broody. If she wants no part of the eggs, then the separation should kick her out of the broody in-between state.
2B. Was there a change in the flock? Perhaps they're trying to find a new pecking order. Every time a chicken comes or goes, the flock must adjust. (This is what I'm dealing with now & it will continue until we're down to our final winter number.)

I am all for having a cat, just worried about her fixating on the chicks. I can't let them out of the coop now unless I am standing guard. Lets see how it plays out!

Well the only change has been that I rehomed my rooster at the end of June. But she was acting like that even before he left. I will try separating her for a week or so, lets see! P.S. I have left eggs in the nest for 2-3 days recently and she still doesn't sit. So definitely not going broody, will just have to break her in-between stage.