Keeping hens and ducks chat.

edwink

in_my_wellies said:

edwink said:

Hi welcome to our hen friendly thread

As hens age, they lay fewer and fewer eggs over time so it is perfectly normal.  One elderly lady might lay one a week or not at all whilst another may lay two or three.  You will notice that eggs from older girls have some brown-ish markings on them like freckles, these eggs are fine to eat and it doesn't change the taste in any way.  Some eggs you will notice have a ripple effect to the shell again this doesn't alter the taste of them. 
I hope that helps.  Definitely nothing to worry about.   

Edwink x

What you have described is exactly what is happening. I have had speckled ones and rippled ones.  Also some with a small hole or very thin spot at the end. By chance today I got a perfectly formed egg! 
I have kept hens for many years and some have lived until quite old but I have never noticed such a  sudden change in laying habit before probably because I've had mixed ages all in together, just adding 3 to 5 each year as the older ones died. Then I had a visit from a ferret which killed them all and re-homed these ex-bats  

Ah yes the ones with the thin spot on the bottom as well, not forgetting, of course, the really wobbly eggs with the extra thin flexible shells. Those are the weirdest ones ever.
I like to draw a face on the eggs with rippled shells because the ripples are often only on one end of the egg and resemble hair.  Maybe I should get out more, ha ha ha.  It can look quite striking if you decorate a box of six eggs all with different facial expressions on them.  Great for quirky presents if you ever get stuck for any ideas.  That's if you have enough eggs to do it of course.

I've had mixed ages here too over the years.  It's only when you rehome several together and therefore they are all the same age that you start to notice these things and the drop in eggs. 

Edwink x

Pyxis

edwink said:

in_my_wellies said:

edwink said:

Hi welcome to our hen friendly thread

As hens age, they lay fewer and fewer eggs over time so it is perfectly normal.  One elderly lady might lay one a week or not at all whilst another may lay two or three.  You will notice that eggs from older girls have some brown-ish markings on them like freckles, these eggs are fine to eat and it doesn't change the taste in any way.  Some eggs you will notice have a ripple effect to the shell again this doesn't alter the taste of them. 
I hope that helps.  Definitely nothing to worry about.   

Edwink x

What you have described is exactly what is happening. I have had speckled ones and rippled ones.  Also some with a small hole or very thin spot at the end. By chance today I got a perfectly formed egg! 
I have kept hens for many years and some have lived until quite old but I have never noticed such a  sudden change in laying habit before probably because I've had mixed ages all in together, just adding 3 to 5 each year as the older ones died. Then I had a visit from a ferret which killed them all and re-homed these ex-bats  

Ah yes the ones with the thin spot on the bottom as well, not forgetting, of course, the really wobbly eggs with the extra thin flexible shells. Those are the weirdest ones ever.
I like to draw a face on the eggs with rippled shells because the ripples are often only on one end of the egg and resemble hair.  Maybe I should get out more, ha ha ha.  It can look quite striking if you decorate a box of six eggs all with different facial expressions on them.  Great for quirky presents if you ever get stuck for any ideas.  That's if you have enough eggs to do it of course.

I've had mixed ages here too over the years.  It's only when you rehome several together and therefore they are all the same age that you start to notice these things and the drop in eggs. 

Edwink x

Pics, please! 🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓

Cheery_Daff

Afternoon all

Just popping in with an update on Mildred, as I just had a chat with the vet on the phone. Her comb has been getting increasingly purple and dry these last few days, her legs seem a bit stiff, and she's not really that interested even in treats today. She's still pretty much hanging round with the others though, but definitely quieter than usual. 

Vet said, as I suspected, that it sounds like it might be a heart/circulatory issue and that there isn't really anything they can do anyway so not much point taking her in. I asked about whether to bring her inside - he said they'd usually advise keeping her warm, but as she just looks lost and lonely inside, and is still keeping up with the rest, she'll probably be happier in with the flock, at least for now. In the past BHWT have advised asprin if we think they're in pain - vet said it didn't sound like it, but that it won't do any harm so I'll try to get her on her own later and sprinkle some crushed asprin on a bit of yogurt, see if that makes her more comfortable (if she'll eat it). 

Hope she rallies round. She's one of our original hens and as bossy as she's always been, I'll miss her if she goes (and Maud, our only other remaining original hen, will miss her more I suspect). Mildred and Maud were barn hens before they came to us (not cages, but no access to outside), and we do have the consolation that they have at least had longer with us than they had in the barns. 

Fingers crossed she rallies soon 

edwink

Cheery_Daff said:

Afternoon all

Just popping in with an update on Mildred, as I just had a chat with the vet on the phone. Her comb has been getting increasingly purple and dry these last few days, her legs seem a bit stiff, and she's not really that interested even in treats today. She's still pretty much hanging round with the others though, but definitely quieter than usual. 

Vet said, as I suspected, that it sounds like it might be a heart/circulatory issue and that there isn't really anything they can do anyway so not much point taking her in. I asked about whether to bring her inside - he said they'd usually advise keeping her warm, but as she just looks lost and lonely inside, and is still keeping up with the rest, she'll probably be happier in with the flock, at least for now. In the past BHWT have advised asprin if we think they're in pain - vet said it didn't sound like it, but that it won't do any harm so I'll try to get her on her own later and sprinkle some crushed asprin on a bit of yogurt, see if that makes her more comfortable (if she'll eat it). 

Hope she rallies round. She's one of our original hens and as bossy as she's always been, I'll miss her if she goes (and Maud, our only other remaining original hen, will miss her more I suspect). Mildred and Maud were barn hens before they came to us (not cages, but no access to outside), and we do have the consolation that they have at least had longer with us than they had in the barns. 

Fingers crossed she rallies soon 

Hi Cheery

It's so worrying and horrible when they are poorly or really slow down when they get old.  I am sure you know the vet is absolutely right as a purple comb is normally due to the heart which in turn affects their circulation.  I've had several hens in this situation over the years sadly. I kept mine with the others so they could all be together and they wouldn't be on their own.  Just keep a really close eye on her and if she stops being with the others or huddles up somewhere it would be time to take her indoors with you so she doesn't get picked on by any of the others and also so she doesn't get cold.  If her circulation is affected she will get cold easily during this time of year. 

It is very sad to see them like that especially as you say she is one or your original girls.  It is great that she is with you because you are such a caring hen keeper Cheery.  You know when something is not right with any of your girls and you will do anything and everything to make it right if you can or make them as comfortable as possible in their old age. 

Please let us know how she is when you can. Take care x

Edwink x

edwink

Pyxis said:

edwink said:

in_my_wellies said:

edwink said:

Hi welcome to our hen friendly thread

As hens age, they lay fewer and fewer eggs over time so it is perfectly normal.  One elderly lady might lay one a week or not at all whilst another may lay two or three.  You will notice that eggs from older girls have some brown-ish markings on them like freckles, these eggs are fine to eat and it doesn't change the taste in any way.  Some eggs you will notice have a ripple effect to the shell again this doesn't alter the taste of them. 
I hope that helps.  Definitely nothing to worry about.   

Edwink x

What you have described is exactly what is happening. I have had speckled ones and rippled ones.  Also some with a small hole or very thin spot at the end. By chance today I got a perfectly formed egg! 
I have kept hens for many years and some have lived until quite old but I have never noticed such a  sudden change in laying habit before probably because I've had mixed ages all in together, just adding 3 to 5 each year as the older ones died. Then I had a visit from a ferret which killed them all and re-homed these ex-bats  

Ah yes the ones with the thin spot on the bottom as well, not forgetting, of course, the really wobbly eggs with the extra thin flexible shells. Those are the weirdest ones ever.
I like to draw a face on the eggs with rippled shells because the ripples are often only on one end of the egg and resemble hair.  Maybe I should get out more, ha ha ha.  It can look quite striking if you decorate a box of six eggs all with different facial expressions on them.  Great for quirky presents if you ever get stuck for any ideas.  That's if you have enough eggs to do it of course.

I've had mixed ages here too over the years.  It's only when you rehome several together and therefore they are all the same age that you start to notice these things and the drop in eggs. 

Edwink x

Pics, please! 🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓

Hi Pyxis

I now have one rippled egg put by ready to put a face on.  I'll save a few eggs up and put a pic on here of them soon.

Edwink x

in_my_wellies

I went to collect the eggs this morning to find another hen had died overnight. All looked well when I cleaned and fed them yesterday so at least it was quick and she didn't suffer too long, I hope. I hate it when they look poorly and I try everything but feel hopeless. 
Only the one egg again today. I fenced off a fresh piece of grass for them and let them have a run whilst I was working outside today. 
I recently discovered some new holes under the hedge on the edge of my boundary - very suspicious that it could be a new badger sett or fox using it?? - too close for comfort. I pushed soil back into the one I could reach easily and it was dug out again by next morning. Then I noticed three more holes the other side of the hedge, large soil heap (badger?), not sure if I can do anything. Camera on tonight.

edwink

in_my_wellies said:

I went to collect the eggs this morning to find another hen had died overnight. All looked well when I cleaned and fed them yesterday so at least it was quick and she didn't suffer too long, I hope. I hate it when they look poorly and I try everything but feel hopeless. 
Only the one egg again today. I fenced off a fresh piece of grass for them and let them have a run whilst I was working outside today. 
I recently discovered some new holes under the hedge on the edge of my boundary - very suspicious that it could be a new badger sett or fox using it?? - too close for comfort. I pushed soil back into the one I could reach easily and it was dug out again by next morning. Then I noticed three more holes the other side of the hedge, large soil heap (badger?), not sure if I can do anything. Camera on tonight.

I am sorry that you have lost another of your hens, it's always sad.  From what you have said my guess is that she died in her sleep and didn't know anything about it, bless her.  Nicer for her but a complete shock for you when getting them out in the morning.  I am sure she has had a really good retirement with you and your other hens so you have that to be proud of and look back on.

The hole digging is a worry that's for sure especially as you filled it in only to find it had been dug out again.  That's a bit too close for comfort for you and your hens. What is behind the hedge? is there another garden the animal has gained access through?.  
Do you have any paving slabs that you could put where you have filled the hole back in?. They are so useful in a situation like you have.  Every time you fill a hole in you put a slab on it so when the animal tries the next night to dig through he/she won't be able to gain access through that particular route again.  Is there any evidence of digging around the hens coop? If so you will need to put paving slabs preferably or breeze type blocks all the way around the coop. Basically, anything that is solid and heavy that the animal can not dig through.  Maybe if you could describe your set up to us or put on a picture on here Cheery and I might be able to suggest something that would help sort this problem out for you. I really do feel for you as it is very worrying.

Edwink x 

Pyxis

Do badgers attack hens? I didn’t think so but enlighten me!Or do they just go after the eggs?

I’m so worried about this weekend, with the warmer weather forecast.

It’s ironic that we couldn’t have had the wet weather when lockdown started, instead of earlier. I’m sure the figures would have been a lot less if so.

I feel so sorry for people who might still not be back in their homes after flooding, and now having to face lockdown. You don’t hear about the flood victims any more.

Sorry......have drifted away from hen talk, but some of the flooded people may have had hens. I wonder what they did with them?

I won’t be able to train my garden birds, as I’m out of live mealworms and don’t think Ican get any more. Galling, when the shop was literally 3 minutes walk around the corner! 

Pyxis

Edwink, if you are still able to edit your very first post on this thread, did you know that you could  put some hen and duck emoticons on the title heading, if you have any on your computer keyboard.?

For example, this 🐓and this 🦆 are on my iPad’s keyboard display of emoticons, so it would go on the title bar. I have put various appropriate emoticons on the threads I opened in The Arms! 

It doesn’t seem to work with ‘imported’ emoticons, only with the ones on my iPad, but it jazzes up the title and makes it stand out in the list of thread titles! 

in_my_wellies

edwink:

I am sorry that you have lost another of your hens, it's always sad.  From what you have said my guess is that she died in her sleep and didn't know anything about it, bless her.  Nicer for her but a complete shock for you when getting them out in the morning.  I am sure she has had a really good retirement with you and your other hens so you have that to be proud of and look back on.

The hole digging is a worry that's for sure especially as you filled it in only to find it had been dug out again.  That's a bit too close for comfort for you and your hens. What is behind the hedge? is there another garden the animal has gained access through?.  
Do you have any paving slabs that you could put where you have filled the hole back in?. They are so useful in a situation like you have.  Every time you fill a hole in you put a slab on it so when the animal tries the next night to dig through he/she won't be able to gain access through that particular route again.  Is there any evidence of digging around the hens coop? If so you will need to put paving slabs preferably or breeze type blocks all the way around the coop. Basically, anything that is solid and heavy that the animal can not dig through.  Maybe if you could describe your set up to us or put on a picture on here Cheery and I might be able to suggest something that would help sort this problem out for you. I really do feel for you as it is very worrying.

Edwink x 

Lots of squabbles and noise today. I'm wondering if the one that died was the boss who kept order. Could the pecking order have been disturbed? 

Thanks for the suggestions re the hole. Nothing on the camera last night. I'm not sure about badgers and hens. In my old garden I have them many times on camera just going for worms and apples. Always coming through the same gap, same routine and out again without seeming to notice the hen house 

The hedge is wide, the other side is someones garden but it's at the far end of their two acres so I doubt they know its there as they are most definitely not gardeners. Today I covered the hole and the area with a piece of hardboard and breeze blocks and hammered and wove in some extra sticks around the base of the hedge to block gaps - but needs more work. There is a wide, human size, hole in the hedge but I would need to be more subtle if covering holes on the other side. I hope I'll see something on the camera to guide my efforts

Due to having a visit from a fox years ago my hens are completely enclosed. I have a 4' x 4' house opening into a 12' x 16' run. The netting is folded out on the ground 12" all round the edge, pegged down and mostly grassed over.  The frame sits on a wooden plinth which sits on 2' x 1' marble tiles (very posh, from freecycle) These were put down because the soil is very sandy (house was called 'Sandbeck') and it was the hens trying to excavate out rather than a fox trying to get in which was the problem. I still need to add at least three wheelbarrow loads of new soil every year - what do they do with it??? the roof is wire netting covered with corrugated plastic (from freecycle)

200 meters away a lot of building work and landscaping has been happening and I do know there were badgers in that direction so I'm thinking they have been disturbed. I read last night that badgers dig but foxes usually just take over an existing hole. As this is new (since last autumn) I'm thinking badgers but they could have started, moved in, moved out and then a fox moved in just recently. Hoping the camera works tonight.