Aug 9, 2012 7:24:52 GMT
ruby 5
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Posts: 418
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Post by ruby 5 on Nov 20, 2012 18:02:18 GMT
Our hen bred for the first time last July, she laid 9 eggs and 6 hatched, she looked exhausted by the time the last chick had left the nest so we decided not to let her have a second clutch. We put her back with the other birds (no nest box) and she laid 3 more eggs in the cage, which was 8 weeks from her first clutch. She soon got back to her chatty friendly self but the last couple of days she's been very quiet. She's panting a little and fanning her wings like she used to do before she laid an egg. I haven't seen her mating though. It's 8 weeks again since she laid the 3 eggs so is this a normal pattern? also her cere has started to turn brown. I don't know what to do, I don't want to deprive her of what's best for her, if it means putting her back in the breeding cage with her mate then I will, but if this is normal then I'll leave her with the others.
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Post by Hezz on Nov 21, 2012 0:39:20 GMT
I am no help to you, Lesley, not having bred, but just remember sometimes we don't always know what is the best thing for ourselves. If you feel she is still looking peeky, I think it is your responsibility to make sure she gets back to strength, if that means no more chicks for a while, so be it.
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Aug 9, 2012 7:24:52 GMT
ruby 5
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Posts: 418
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Post by ruby 5 on Nov 21, 2012 8:12:48 GMT
Thanks Hezz, we've never had a hen before so I don't know if it's normal for them to do this or if it's because we only let her have just the one clutch and she's broody
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Sept 27, 2024 21:44:34 GMT
Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2012 1:03:24 GMT
Thanks Hezz, we've never had a hen before so I don't know if it's normal for them to do this or if it's because we only let her have just the one clutch and she's broody they come into breeding condition about every 7/8 weeks ...but if shes not looking fit dont use her .
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Aug 9, 2012 7:24:52 GMT
ruby 5
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Posts: 418
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Post by ruby 5 on Nov 23, 2012 9:37:41 GMT
Thanks Mick I don't think I explained myself properly at the beginning of this thread. I don't want her to breed again, but if she's not happy because of this I would put her in the breeding cage with her mate and let her lay. I feel as if I am depriving her of what she needs to do. Also, do hens lay eggs even though they haven't mated? ......not kept hens until now so not sure.
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Sept 27, 2024 21:44:34 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2012 0:55:06 GMT
you said ... She's panting a little and fanning her wings
well that dont sound normal to me i wouldnt put her in a breeding cage ...if it continues id take her to the vets ....
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Aug 9, 2012 7:24:52 GMT
ruby 5
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Posts: 418
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Post by ruby 5 on Nov 24, 2012 9:02:59 GMT
Will do Mick, thanks she only pants occasionally, stands really upright and fans her wings, she used to do this just before she laid an egg (July) the rest of the time she's ok, just a bit grumpy with the others. She's eating well though. I'm not used to hens and wondered if it was a 'hormone' thing
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Nov 8, 2011 20:55:22 GMT
suejr69
Cruising Cobalt
Posts: 697
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Post by suejr69 on Nov 24, 2012 20:40:40 GMT
I would keep her separate from the others lesley until shes her usual self.like you said she could be worn out and ready to lay again and become a constant layer like one of my girls did.give her all her usual foods and calcivet. Constant layers can become calcium deficient quickly.if you find she is trying to lay.you can also reduce her daylight hours to try and stop her laying without causing problems. If she doesnt lay any eggs she probably needs to rest and build her strength up. keep in touch with us. Sue
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Aug 9, 2012 7:24:52 GMT
ruby 5
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Posts: 418
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Post by ruby 5 on Nov 24, 2012 23:24:34 GMT
Thanks Sue They're all asleep now so I'll see what she's like tomorrow and put her in another cage if she's the same, although she seems a bit better today. I hope she (Sydney....supposed to be Sidney when we got her!!) isn't going to do this every 8 weeks
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Aug 9, 2012 7:24:52 GMT
ruby 5
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Posts: 418
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Post by ruby 5 on Nov 25, 2012 15:14:56 GMT
Happy to say Sydney is back to her normal self today
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Post by Hezz on Nov 30, 2012 11:21:05 GMT
Oh, good! That is a relief, then. Lesley. Hopefully Sydney will be content with only the one hatching.
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