Confession - I'm a terrible chicken mother!!!

[Bephlam]

Yesterday my phone died through the night, and as a result my alarm didn't go off - sooooo....I never woke up until 11am!

I instantly opened my eyes and shouted "Oh noooo...I've not let the girls out yet". The poor wee things didn't get out until 11am....how cruel is that??

They were mighty annoyed, and spent the rest of the day hiding in their house! They weren't even interested in free ranging!

Wee madams!!!

[Suechooks]

Sulking chooks! That'll teach you!!!! Did they lay you any eggs or were they REALLY punishing you?

[Nicos]

I'm not letting mine out until about 10.15 ( 9.15 your time- so that doesn't sound too bad)...cos of potential fox attack.
They start crowing at 3.30
They've started pecking the door to let themselves out eventually too!! ( bit like Colditz????)

I locked them away yesterday at noon- after only 2 hrs out, cos I was going out teaching and wouldn't be back till 7pm. I felt awful about that- but it's a big enough room for them. Needless to say they all rushed in for a raisin snack...except Betty..who took a further 35mins to catch .
Nearly had to leave her out - I was sick with worry!
Now that would have been a terrible chicken mother in my eyes!

[janeyo]

I didn't let mine out once til a similar time, raging hangover and it was too far to walk down the garden without help lol. They were might grumpy I can tell you!

janeyo - the automatic opener means I get a lie in every day! yay

[Bephlam]

They haven't bothered to grace me with an egg since the day and hour I got them - they must be mighty peed off with me! lol. They must be due to lay soon - I'll be over run with eggs in the Spring!!

They have been acting odd for a few days now, so maybe I'll be getting some sooner.

I soooo want an auto opener janeyo - bit expensive this time of year though!

[Nicos]

Are you giving them Spice in their feed????

I'm sure mine started laying when I introduced it!( but it could have been a coincidence!!!!!)

[Bephlam]

Nicos, they've had spice since they were babies - they used to LOVE it, but they've kinda gone off that now too...and porridge. All of a sudden they're obsessed with mixed corn (a thing they'd never look at before) and meal worms.

They eat like pigs, but won't lay. The breed are prolific winter layers as well (QUOTE!!!!) shame no-one has told mine that!

Wee beggers! I still love them, eggs or no eggs!!!

[Nicos]

..eat like pigs????...corn???

If they are putting on weight too quickly ( ie getting fat!) they may not lay
How old are they?

[Bephlam]

Nahh...they're definitely not too fat, and they're not gaining weight too quickly. They're almost perfect for their size and age. They don't get a lot of treats anymore - a small handful of mixed corn scattered before bedtime. I'm pretty sure it's as simple as they were too young to lay before the dark nights came in, so they've missed they're calling a little bit. Byt Spring they'll be good to go....I'm sure!!!

They're 27 weeks on Friday - so there is still plenty of time.

[frias]

I really hope you're right about the spring Bephlam. As mine are ex-batts they were good layers when I got them and still lay well. 5 eggs today from 6 girls and apparently Bournemouth was the coldest place in Britain last night.
I have to set 2 alarms to get me up in the morning as it's too easy to ignor the first one. I only let them out into the enclosed run until I am about though. With this cold weather I'm sure the foxes are about looking for food and water.
Don't beat yourself up I'm sure your girls are spoilt most of the time and will forgive you.

[Bephlam]

Damn - sitting here watching telly and realised I haven't locked them up yet. OMG...What's happening to me??? I'm a terrible mother!!

[frias]

Well, I can claim senior moments for my lapses. Are you having too much 'Highland water' by any chance?

[Nicos]

Mine were about that age too!

I put wooden eggs in the nests to give them an idea where to lay them- although I bet for the first egg they lay they won't have a clue as to what's going on!!
I didn't see my first eggs cos they were laid under the boxes on shavings in the corner of the room- good job I could still do a headstand or they'd still be there now!!

One thing I noticed with 3 out of the 4 was that when you went to stroke them
they squatted and spread their wings.
They don't seem to do it now.

Exciting isn't it????

[Bephlam]

Well, I can claim senior moments for my lapses. Are you having too much 'Highland water' by any chance?

I wish - the only excuse I have is...ermmm....I don't even have one....and I don't have the brain power to think one up.

They're all tucked up now though - happy as wee chickens in...well...in their house!

[Bephlam]

One thing I noticed with 3 out of the 4 was that when you went to stroke them
they squatted and spread their wings.
They don't seem to do it now.

Exciting isn't it????

Mine have been doing that for about 6 weeks now!!! Still no eggs though!