New Laying Bantam

[HeatherKellyB]

I wanted to share an updated picture of Buffy. This was from a little while ago and she's obviously overindulged on some mash, which is a new favorite! She's laid 3 eggs so far and it's looking like her flockmate, Beatrice (also pictured), will begin laying any day now. I haven't noticed anymore blood on the eggs. Tomorrow is the last day for their 1/2 teaspoon Corid in their Quart drinker. It probably wasn't even necessary but I hated to stop it after starting it. Once I get flotation solution, I'll be able to attempt a fecal float. I don't expect to get reliable results anytime soon as I'm sure it's going to take me a while to figure everything out and do it correctly. Thank you again for sharing your time and knowledge with me. These little girls, along with my Serama, certainly cause concern anytime something is off with them. All three are starting to lay at the same time, so I'm getting a lot of extra gray hair worrying over them. Thanks again!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Hello again! My other Dutch Bantam, Beatrice, has started laying within the past week. I believe she's laid 2 eggs, but there's a possibility that it's just been one. She's had significant comb and wattle growth in the past 3 days. Tonight while she was running around in my shop (it was after dark), I noticed her going into a corner and circling while doing the "squat/scratch". She seemed to be comfortable and content so I decided to let her be while I got the Ducks fed and locked up. I dimmed the lights and had my daughter to stay with her (since she was already deep into a video game anyway). After an hour, Beatrice was still in the same corner but no egg. My daughter went over to her and noticed a poop from her. That made me feel better since she's able to pass poop. I hate causing stress by intervening unless it's necessary with egg laying. Does this sound like normal pullet behavior getting adjusted to the urges off egg laying or should I be on alert and keep an eye on her every couple of hours until she lays? Or maybe just keep an eye out for signs that she's uncomfortable and stressed? I have Calcium Citrate + Vit D3 on hand but again, they're so tiny and I worry about giving them extra anything. Whenever I put her to bed, she did have some oyster shell before getting under her mom (silly girl still wiggles and squirms her way to get under her Silkie mom at night). She also had a little bit of boiled egg that I made for one of my molters, along with her regular Flock Raiser. Her poop looks normal but maybe a little bit on the dryer side which I wouldn't consider problematic but maybe furthering her urge confusion.

You'd think that I've never had pullets before so I apologize for asking such basic questions. I just spend a lot more time with these tiny girls since they enjoy coming into the shop for visits often. I end up noticing a lot with them.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You had her out after dark? Likely her actions was trying to find a place to hunker down for the night.
See how she is in the morning.

 

[BDutch]

Nice company you have with you’re Dutch.

Imo you shouldn’t worry so much about vitamines snd additives. You might even give too much of them. Just give normal feed and access to oyster shells and grit.

Its a good idea to train the Dutch to sleep in the coop on a roost. Put them up there at sunset/after dark. Much more hygienic and easier to clean. The Silkie gives the wrong example imo. (Sleeping in nest boxes is an important reason why I don’t want Silkies).

Oh and if youre Dutch is squatting for you, you can pet her on the back. She loves you for it. She stops squatting when she’s molting/in winter.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

You had her out after dark? Likely her actions was trying to find a place to hunker down for the night.
See how she is in the morning.

The 3 of them, along with my Serama pullet, come in the shop every night to have some mash (feed moistened with water) because the LF and older girls run them off from the other pie plates of mash. They end up staying until I finish doing everything I need to do and we put them up for the night which is always after dark. I checked on her once during the night (I always go out to check everyone before I go to sleep) and she was fine. She did lay a long egg early this morning, but it didn't look like it would have caused any problems. I believe you're correct about her wanting to go to bed and that coupled with her getting used to feeling the egg being made and working its way through her system is what was behind her different behavior.
Thank you again for your time and for everything!

Good gracious, these girls are so incredibly sweet! It's crazy how much they actually enjoy human attention and affection. All of my pullets and hens are sweet and friendly, but these 2 Dutch are the most affectionate and loving birds.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Nice company you have with you’re Dutch.

Imo you shouldn’t worry so much about vitamines snd additives. You might even give too much of them. Just give normal feed and access to oyster shells and grit.

Its a good idea to train the Dutch to sleep in the coop on a roost. Put them up there at sunset/after dark. Much more hygienic and easier to clean. The Silkie gives the wrong example imo. (Sleeping in nest boxes is an important reason why I don’t want Silkies).

Oh and if youre Dutch is squatting for you, you can pet her on the back. She loves you for it. She stops squatting when she’s molting/in winter.

Thank you! Yes, I agree. I am surprised that the Silkie is still covering them at night. I will continue to work with putting them on the roost. Before brooding these girls (her first time hatching and raising chicks), my Silkie would roost all night, so I know she can. It took a little more on my part. I just need to put all 3 on the roost every time I find them huddled up, instead of allowing it. You're right, it's much better for them to sleep up off the floor. Thank you for your time and for sharing that. I appreciate the information so much