MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

She went up to the roost OK.

I hope to find her in good health in the morning.

 

[Perris]

I hope this is due to ageing and not something serious.

Am about to start reading up.

Appreciate any thoughts.

Is she resuming laying (it's spring there now right?) after taking a winter break? Or has she been laying fine for a while?

These look like system glitches to me - but her overall health and behaviour is your best clue to how she feels in herself and whether or not there's anything seriously wrong.

 

[LozzyR]

She went up to the roost OK.

I hope to find her in good health in the morning.

Me too

 

[MaryJanet]

Is she resuming laying (it's spring there now right?) after taking a winter break? Or has she been laying fine for a while?

These look like system glitches to me - but her overall health and behaviour is your best clue to how she feels in herself and whether or not there's anything seriously wrong.

She's been laying regularly for almost a month.

Hopefully she'll have her usual cheerful attitude in the morning. She's going on 7 years old, so she could be winding up her egg production. We often hear about pullets laying unusual eggs, but no one ever says much about their older hens.

 

[Perris]

She's going on 7 years old

no one ever says much about their older hens.

Indeed. Typically people just talk about a decline in the quantity. But my oldest two (7+) both had erratic issues this year. Anyway, let's hope it's just hiccups and she's not ill.

 

[MaryJanet]

Indeed. Typically people just talk about a decline in the quantity. But my oldest two (7+) both had erratic issues this year. Anyway, let's hope it's just hiccups and she's not ill.

I guess it's important for people who have families to feed or who rely on egg sales to supplement their incomes. And it's an easy factor to keep track of, but it's not overly helpful.

Appreciate the info. Interesting your two were around the same age when they showed unusual laying. Hopefully more people with experience of elderly hens will chip in similar anecdotes.

I'll post an update in the morning.

 

[RoyalChick]

I guess it's important for people who have families to feed or who rely on egg sales to supplement their incomes. And it's an easy factor to keep track of, but it's not overly helpful.

Appreciate the info. Interesting your two were around the same age when they showed unusual laying. Hopefully more people with experience of elderly hens will chip in similar anecdotes.

I'll post an update in the morning.

Hope she is OK MJ. I will check in at end of my day to catch the morning update.

 

[MaryJanet]

Mary seems fine this morning, but she's pale. Unfortunately I have a very full day of meetings, so I can't be here to keep an eye on her. I doubt she will lay an egg today but I hope to find her a little less pale when I get home. I also hope she eats well today and I'll be watching to see if she has her customary happy hour at the waterer.

 

[BDutch]

Feeling very worried.

Mary pooped what looks like albumen.

View attachment 3956052

Video on the way.

I'll call the vet and see if we can figure out an appointment for her.

A couple of my chickens had awfull poop too last week. They probably just ate too many grapes. Its over since the grapes finished.

 

[BDutch]

She's been laying regularly for almost a month.

Hopefully she'll have her usual cheerful attitude in the morning. She's going on 7 years old, so she could be winding up her egg production. We often hear about pullets laying unusual eggs, but no one ever says much about their older hens.

My old hens lay s bit less each week. Like 3 eggs a week instead of the 4-5 they laid the first year. + they have a very long winter break.
No issues with shells or deformed eggs. Not even after 9-10 years.

Now 2 of them are my broody / momma champions. They still nurture the Amrock juveniles. Probably because the don’t feel the need to lay again until next spring.


I had other chickens a couple of years back. One of them started to lay soft-shell eggs at the age of 4. It probably went wrong one day and caused an internal infection.

Momma Ini mini and the 3 Amrocks left from the pear tree. Momma Black in front of the tree. Only Katrientje is missing on the photo. She came running to me hoping I had a snack for her (should have called her cooky monster).

I missed notifications and had to read post from the last 2 weeks to catch up. @RoyalChick , reading about your marek issues, I remember it vaguely - almost forgot it. Im glad you found a way to coop with it.