[kellym]

hello my boyfriend was out cutting the grass this afternoon, both hens huddled in the corner away from the noise. when he went to check they were ok he noticed a soft fully sized egg in thier run. we have cut the grass before and they didnt seem to worry although last time we cut around thier run they were not in it where as today they were. is this anything to worry about as the boyfriend is feeling really guilty that hes scared them 

[Helenaj]

Chickens will get used to all sorts of noise, it's just initially it will scare them. You may get a few soft or odd shaped eggs as stress can cause that, but your best bet is to get the mower out and put it on in the background for a few minutes, away from them so they can hear and see it but not feel threatened by it. Do this a few times a day for a couple of days, gradually moving it closer and you'll soon find that it won't bother them. My compound is next door to a chap who uses disc cutters and grinding tools in his workshop and after the initial fright, they no longer take any notice of it.