- Mar 25, 2019
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My Ameraucana has been my best egg layer out of 10 hens. She has only taken breaks during molting. In her lifetime she gave us eggs in winter when the others slowed.
She had a fall molt, no eggs for Oct., gave us a few eggs early Nov. Then she just stopped laying.
My question do they just stop laying, like this is your last egg from me, lol. Or do the slow down, scattered laying.
Now for my concerned question.
It has been very cold and snowing in MI. They have been inside for awhile with out going into the no covered run or free range. They have a two room small barn, lots of play room. I noticed yesterday she didn't come down to great me like she normal does. She wasn't with her best friend, Brahma. She sleeps and cuddles under her wing all the time. They have done this since babies. When I went to give her treats she turned her back to me on the roost and moved away so I couldn't talk to her. I brought her down looked over her. Everything looks fine. She drank some water then went into a nesting small dog kennel to hide from me. Turned her back to me again. She is not like this. They are very friendly and extremely social, love getting pets and talked too.
Since she drank water an walked around, although much slower then normal she went back to the roost.
She did the same today. I held her for a bit, put her down she drank a bunch of water then wanted to retreat to be alone the same as day before. This is not her normal happy self. No physical issues. Her and 2 others are my original birds. Very spoiled they helped when I was going through chemo 6 years ago (I am in remission). Brought home 6 wonderful chicks that I spoiled. Only 3 old ladies left, Buff Orphington, Amercauna, and Brahama. They others 7 birds are younger.
I don't know end of life show. I don't know if it's egg issue since she hasn't been laying. No physical injury signs. Sounds weird but I can just tell something off.
Thanks for your time and any input you can give on older hens and keeping them happy. I have already been dealing with arthritis with the other two. This is not like that either.
She had a fall molt, no eggs for Oct., gave us a few eggs early Nov. Then she just stopped laying.
My question do they just stop laying, like this is your last egg from me, lol. Or do the slow down, scattered laying.
Now for my concerned question.
It has been very cold and snowing in MI. They have been inside for awhile with out going into the no covered run or free range. They have a two room small barn, lots of play room. I noticed yesterday she didn't come down to great me like she normal does. She wasn't with her best friend, Brahma. She sleeps and cuddles under her wing all the time. They have done this since babies. When I went to give her treats she turned her back to me on the roost and moved away so I couldn't talk to her. I brought her down looked over her. Everything looks fine. She drank some water then went into a nesting small dog kennel to hide from me. Turned her back to me again. She is not like this. They are very friendly and extremely social, love getting pets and talked too.
Since she drank water an walked around, although much slower then normal she went back to the roost.
She did the same today. I held her for a bit, put her down she drank a bunch of water then wanted to retreat to be alone the same as day before. This is not her normal happy self. No physical issues. Her and 2 others are my original birds. Very spoiled they helped when I was going through chemo 6 years ago (I am in remission). Brought home 6 wonderful chicks that I spoiled. Only 3 old ladies left, Buff Orphington, Amercauna, and Brahama. They others 7 birds are younger.
I don't know end of life show. I don't know if it's egg issue since she hasn't been laying. No physical injury signs. Sounds weird but I can just tell something off.
Thanks for your time and any input you can give on older hens and keeping them happy. I have already been dealing with arthritis with the other two. This is not like that either.
Anyway, perhaps you could scramble up an egg for your lady in question and hold her in your lap while she eats it. See if that doesn't lift her spirits some.
