The Poultry Keeper

Paul · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 5

Have had 5 hens for two weeks and no sign of eggs yet, The girls are however pooing in the nest boxes and scraping the straw from the nest boxes into the rest of the hen house. Any suggestions on how to rectify their behavior? I'm concerned about how they will get on when they do start laying.
One hen is standing around looking docile and ill this morning. Is there anything I should try to make her better? The others are fine.

JC · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 1099 Location: Sussex

If there POL hens then they can take quite a few weeks to start laying, my knew ones took over a month to start laying. I wouldn't worry about the scratching int he nest boxes just make sure at night they sleep on the perches, even if you have to put them on there. Also to make the nest boxes more appealing for laying eggs make sure they are quite dark so they feel secure Smile

Is the ill hen eating because if she is i wouldn't worry.

CP · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:46 am Post subject:

Are they sleeping in the nest boxes at night? If so then you'll have to block them off to get them used to perching instead.

They may be scratching out the straw as they're searching for any grain or other goodies that may be left in the straw. You could try wood shavings instead. However, they also tend to scratch around in the nest box when they're about to lay, so it may be you'll be getting eggs soon. How old are your hens?

As to the hen that looks ill - have they been wormed & treated for lice/mites?
Without knowing any other symptoms it's difficult to tell...