PMS?

[Lisawbsn]

Do pullets get bitchy in the weeks leading up to POL? I have 8 17 week old girls, 2 EE, 2 BR, 2 Australorps, a BO and a GLW. It has been hot and humid here as well. The Australorps and BO show more red and enlarged combs and wattles especially the lorps but 1 EE and the GLW have much wider spacing of pelvic bones, 3 fingers and about 2 1/2 fingers respectively. They are less cuddly over the past week and more squawky.

 

[sourland]

It is all about the hormones.

 

[Lisawbsn]

It is all about the hormones.

I doubt that M & M will help them like they did me I will just continue as I have been then.

 

[Mrs. K]

Another point - is they are approaching full size birds. Often times, what was more than enough room when they were chicks, becomes not enough room when they are full grown. Measure the coop, measure the run.

People tend to believe these tricks will let them cheat on numbers, but really don't.

• free ranging a couple of hours a day - does not work, if they are over crowded the rest of the time. It is not like taking a dog for a run.
• being raised together - will develop life long friendships that will overcome being crowded - in reality has very little effect on chickens behaviors.

So if it is not hormones, it might be they have out grown their space. Measure and see, or post pictures here.

Mrs K

 

[rosemarythyme]

Short answer: yes.

Longer answer: It's not PMS but it is hormonal. Not unusual for teen birds becoming skittish, flighty, or just plain weird leading up to point of lay - most of the time my teen birds won't let me touch them at all, when they were more or less tolerant of being handled before. Once they begin laying they'll generally calm down a good deal and become more tolerant of you and one another.

 

[Lisawbsn]

Another point - is they are approaching full size birds. Often times, what was more than enough room when they were chicks, becomes not enough room when they are full grown. Measure the coop, measure the run.

People tend to believe these tricks will let them cheat on numbers, but really don't.

• free ranging a couple of hours a day - does not work, if they are over crowded the rest of the time. It is not like taking a dog for a run.
• being raised together - will develop life long friendships that will overcome being crowded - in reality has very little effect on chickens behaviors.

So if it is not hormones, it might be they have out grown their space. Measure and see, or post pictures here.

Mrs K

They outgrew their original coop and we built them a much bigger one a month ago which they love. We are currently working on a multilevel “playground” in the run so they have enrichment and will have areas to play and perch in the winter to avoid the snow and cold ground.