The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Ms Jellybean]

Does this mean I have rats?

there is a nest the hens like that they've made on the floor wedged behind a door in the coop in a pile of hay. usually there is a pile of eggs. last night, no pile, instead, all the eggs were lined up in a row, about 4 inches apart, leading away from the center of the nest out behind the door. there was also an egg in the middle of the floor.

It defies imagination to think the girls laid this way (never happened in my life) or that the girls hauled the eggs out of the nest and lined them up.....

remember, I had something going on a few months ago with the girls coming off the roost at night and huddling in the opposite corner of the coop. as far as I know that stopped. I did put the rat zapper in the coop, but the batteries kept freezing.

no signs of rats or mice, but of course they are there....

Ideas?

That is really strange. Is there a family member that would do that to pull your leg? My kids would do something like that to me.

 

[Shan30]

Tell your husband if he is not going to cull he has to make some decisions..that bird is in obvious distress. She is loudly telling you something is wrong.
He needs to give her a nice warm long soaking bath
He needs to palpatate her belly and feel for an egg..if he feels one he needs to remove it while he has her soaking
Blow dry her
He needs to smell her bottom

Make her warm
Let her rest in a dark room
Offer her a scrambled egg/ fresh water
Check her in a few hours.

Sometimes chickens just feel icky for a day..but that is rare.

sometimes they do not let you know they are sick till it is too late to do anything..it is a survivor instinct.

Thank you Delisha, we had done it all except the bath at that point. DH made what I feel was the right decision and culled after I left for work yesterday.
I examined all the other birds and other than one girl that could use a break from the roosters they all look great. Clean bums, nice and meaty, no bugs. He had already disposed of her or I would have performed a necropsy. I am very sure it was a reproductive issue. Her shape just wouldn't have easily allowed an egg to pass through. Some might consider it cruel to have allowed her to live in the first place but she had 11 good months of life. Her snuggle buddy had continued to sleep in their usual spot while she was separated but had moved to a new sleeping spot when I let them out this morning.

Erick is usually very cool headed about these things but I think this one was just a bit harder.

 

[stonykill]

Does this mean I have rats?

there is a nest the hens like that they've made on the floor wedged behind a door in the coop in a pile of hay. usually there is a pile of eggs. last night, no pile, instead, all the eggs were lined up in a row, about 4 inches apart, leading away from the center of the nest out behind the door. there was also an egg in the middle of the floor.

It defies imagination to think the girls laid this way (never happened in my life) or that the girls hauled the eggs out of the nest and lined them up.....

remember, I had something going on a few months ago with the girls coming off the roost at night and huddling in the opposite corner of the coop. as far as I know that stopped. I did put the rat zapper in the coop, but the batteries kept freezing.

no signs of rats or mice, but of course they are there....

Ideas?

rats roll eggs towards their nest, or eat the eggs on the spot. I'll just add, of course you have attracted rats. You have chickens. Rats love the feed and the eggs.

 

[armorfirelady]

Does this mean I have rats?

there is a nest the hens like that they've made on the floor wedged behind a door in the coop in a pile of hay.  usually there is a pile of eggs.  last night, no pile, instead, all the eggs were lined up in a row, about 4 inches apart, leading away from the center of the nest out behind the door.  there was also an egg in the middle of the floor.

It defies imagination to think the girls laid this way (never happened in my life) or that the girls hauled the eggs out of the nest and lined them up.....

remember, I had something going on a few months ago with the girls coming off the roost at night and huddling in the opposite corner of the coop.  as far as I know that stopped.  I did put the rat zapper in the coop, but the batteries kept freezing.

no signs of rats or mice, but of course they are there....

Ideas?

No idea what would do that but I agree I could see someone doing that to play a prank on me. Might be time to invest in a game can so you can see what goes on when your not there. I found mine on clearance for $60 on Dicks website with free shipping. I don't have predator issues but want to see what's around. Plus it might solve mysteries when they arise.

 

[Shan30]

Does this mean I have rats?

there is a nest the hens like that they've made on the floor wedged behind a door in the coop in a pile of hay.  usually there is a pile of eggs.  last night, no pile, instead, all the eggs were lined up in a row, about 4 inches apart, leading away from the center of the nest out behind the door.  there was also an egg in the middle of the floor.

It defies imagination to think the girls laid this way (never happened in my life) or that the girls hauled the eggs out of the nest and lined them up.....

remember, I had something going on a few months ago with the girls coming off the roost at night and huddling in the opposite corner of the coop.  as far as I know that stopped.  I did put the rat zapper in the coop, but the batteries kept freezing.

no signs of rats or mice, but of course they are there....

Ideas?

If the eggs are brown there should be scratches/teeth marks if rats are stealing them. Do you have ravens? They seem to have no issues with going in the coop and stealing eggs now and then and are super smart.

I've found the best way to tell if you have rats is to sneak out in the middle of the night a fling the door open and the light on very fast.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Maybe your rat zapper will work now that it's a bit warmer.

 

[Leahs Mom]

My LGCs have been making a ruckus ever since I've been at the house today. (Working from home.) Sure enough, every time I hear them and take a look... pair of hawks. Very happy for the LGCs as long as they decide to hang around.



Edited to fix typos

 

[Shan30]

My LGCs have been making a ruckus ever since I've been at the house today.  (Working from home.)  Sure enough, every time I hear them and take a look... pair of hawks.  Very happy for the LGCs as long as they decide to hang around.



Edited to fix typos

Livestock guardian crows?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
Yes! If I had one to give, you'd win the prize!

 

[Shan30]

Yes!  If I had one to give, you'd win the prize! 

Yay! I'll settle for just feeling smug for a bit haha!