Advice: Mother Hen Come Back Into Lay

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

Hello

,

I was wondering if anyone out there in their infinite chook wisdom had any advice as to what I should do with a mother hen that has come back into lay, six weeks after her rather rambunctious brood of five has hatched? They are still sleeping under her protective wing but mother hen seems rather restless.

I found this egg this morning in the chick nursery and a pair of her very curious chicks.

Thank you, kindly

wickedwings · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:48 pm

First, if she is starting to come back into lay then she is probably just about to leave them to their own devices and you could seperate them if you want/need to.

Second, if you have the family on a commercial, medicated feed with a coccidiostat incorporated, such as Barastoc, then there is a 2 week witholding period before you can eat the eggs ie. the hen needs to be off the grower pellets and back on regular food for 2 weeks before you can start eating those pretty blue eggs again.

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

Thank you, kindly, Mr. wickedwings,

The chicks are on the Barastoc chick starter. Alternatively could I hard boil her eggs and mash them up for the chicks?

I don't want her back with Mr. Rooster just yet. He wore her out when Boss Chookie went broody. Boss Chookie can look after herself and hides from Mr. Rooster if he pays too much attention to her. I think she still needs some respite to recover.

Funnily enough we aren't big egg eaters, and some of my family are actually allergic to eggs

wickedwings · **Posted:** Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:39 am

Sorry PP, I missed the reply to this one. Yes, you can certainly mash up the eggs for the chicks, they'll love it.

Have you had Lady Frances out to free range yet? Has she come in direct contact with either of the other 2 hens yet or do you know how they will get along? I'm just wondering if you can put The Pretty One in with The French Hen? A couple of days together and they should sort themselves out. At 20 weeks Lady Frances will be on layer pellets, no?

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

Hello, Mr. wickedwings

,

Oui, Lady Frances is on a combination of Barastoc Darling Layer Downs and Golden Yolk Layer Pellets, she has gone out to free range but since the dog attacks is rather scared and doesn't come out. Lady Frances is very gentle, she and The Pretty One would not make bestest friends.

We have been mashing free range eggs from the supermarket for the chicks, but since The Pretty One is now laying again I thought it would be a shame to waste her eggs. Thank you, kindly, I will boil them up now for their dinner.

wickedwings · **Posted:** Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:04 pm

Does that mean she won't come out even when you leave the gate open? Sounds like she could use a friend then, is it worth trying her and the Pretty One together to see what happens? I expect once those two are getting along it won't be such of a shock introducing Boss Chookie back in. You would have a nice little flock then rather than 3 individuals.

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

The Pretty One will return to live with Boss Chookie and Mr. Rooster.

I am hoping to keep one of The Lavender Gang, (Little Wheezy if it is a pullet) for company for Lady Frances.

No, if I open the door now Lady Frances runs and hides in the nesting box and won't come out until the door is shut. She gets very frightened when she hears dogs bark at close range and hides in the nesting box.

PS
The Pretty One flew out of the nursery and left the babies again, Boss Chookie being Alpha Chook of the flock, just about scalped The Pretty One whom she has always been jealous of and we had to rescue The Pretty One and put her safely back with her babies. The babies were overjoyed to see their mummy back.

As a result, Boss Chookie and Mr. Rooster are having a tiff and sleeping in separate nesting boxes for the night.

wickedwings · **Posted:** Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:30 pm

Oi vay! It's a complex chicken society you live in! :roll:

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