[wolverine]

Second time she has done this first time she just picked up again but this time it's been 9 days a few softies to start then nothing she isn't even a year old and has oyster shell could it be the change in the weather? any thoughts
oh and there are red mite in the coop I'm keeping on top of ot and the girls all have been frontlined powdered with barrier mite powder which is rubbish I've seen mites walking on it  
the other 2 are laying everyday and shell quality is good
any thoughts ?  

Oh and just to add that as far as treats are concerned they have one handfull of corn Or baby carrots   Or peas between 3 of them before bed I was thinking of stopping this but it's not fair on the other 2 because they are fine and they all wait for the treats in the evening jump on my kitchen window and peck the glass till I come out ha ha

[lukasmum]

How old is Annie? She could be going through a chookie menopause?

She isn't going broody??

Maybe she#s having an aversion to the stinking weather we've all been experiencing!
My eggs have reduced by half in the last week - I'm assuming it's because its been
SO dark and horrible... Hopefully the forecast for next week is a little better, and they
might feel a bit better!
I've had a couple of softies this week too - but again, just putting down to the miserable
conditions..

Love Annie anyway - she's probably  laid you loads of scrummy eggs already, so time
to say thankyou....x

[wolverine]

She's not even 1 year old we got her at 15 weeks in April a bit early for the big change ha ha she is happy enough I think I worry because everyone says the hide it well if something is wrong to avoid being bullied to death. I noticed one chuck had the runs this morning aswell don't know which but I disenfcted the patio last night so wonder if she had a mouthful of that 

[lukasmum]

maybe she's getting ready to moult...

she sounds healthy enough, so hopefully she'll get back in her rhythm soon

[wolverine]

Update!!!! This morning annie went into the nest box which I thought was promising half hour later she emerged with yolk on her beak!! She had layed a shellless egg and eaten it is this cause for concern? I'm gonna take her to the vet I'm worried it could be the red mite causing it I've got a 5 litre tub of poultry shield on order and a 2 kg tub of diatom powder. I'm hoping to get the egglu cube but things are just a bit to tight right now any sugestions about the shellless eggs in the meantime will be great
thanks guys

[joyfull]

it is quite normal for them to eat a shelless egg - it removes the evidence from preditors and also gives them some protein.

[wolverine]

sod it I'm convinced it's the red mite ive ordered the eglu cube in a bid to win the war can't really afford it but it's done now so I'll worry about that later ha ha

[joyfull]

yes redmites will have an effect on them and their egg production. Lucky you getting a cube 

[wolverine]

Yeah they look great but two weeks delivery!!!! My poor girls will be sucked of all their blood! She's off to the vet in the morning just to check it's nothing else causing it. Fingers crossed the new easy clean coop will fix it 

[wolverine]

Any tips on moving birds from one coop to another withought taking the red mites with me my garden is small so the coop can't go anywhere else the chickens have been frontline so I hope they won't be on the birds. Also what to do with the old coop? It costme 130 odd quid bit I can't sell it with red mite in. if I dismantle it and stor it in the shed will the hungry mites walk over to the new coop? I might just burn it. Advice please