Crop and POL Laying issues - Bluebell and Speckledy

[Amy]

Hi
I am probably being overly concerned but after losing my Sebright last week to an unknown illness that may of involved her crop, I am paranoid :shock:

My 27 week old Bluebell (who has still not started laying) over the last few days has had a huge crop. Every morning when I let her out it has gone right down to 'normal' yet come lunch time it is large again and gets bigger throughout the rest of the day...she looks very odd with it! I have felt it and it is all squishy and her breath doesnt smell at all so I have ruled out (rightly or wrongly) sour crop.

She is acting normal....scratching, eating like a piglet and her poop is normal also. She is sneezing a bit but so are most of them on and off...possibly down to dust bathing or pollen spores (?!?!?!) - Most of them have sneezed for months now so I have stopped worrying about that!

She seems to have really 'grown up' this last week and her comb and waffles have grown and are a lovely red colour. She has no other symptoms...such as runny nose, discharge, raspy breathing.

BUT she has not yet laid an egg?!?!?!

I also have a Speckledy of the same age who also has not started laying yet and her comb and waffles are still really small and salmon pink...is this normal?!?!?!

Thanks everyone!

 

[Davidd]

Hi, it all sounds normal to me Their crops will be empty in the morning- then fill up as they eat/forage during the day- all normal
As to laying- some birds will take longer than others- some are a little backward and some breeds take longer to mature- i wouldn't worry about that either- they will lay when ready
Enjoy your girls
regards, David

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Amy,
I also have a Bluebell and a speckledy and neither of them are laying properly. They lay sometimes and almost always soft shelled eggs, thought it was only the speckledy but have realised both are doing it. I guess it just takes a while for them to get into the swing of things. Also, I have noticed my Bluebell is incredibly greedy compared to the others and you should have seen the size of her crop after the whole frog she ate yesterday!!
Can understand why you worry though after your loss, but just think how great the eggs will be once they do lay after all the food she's been eating
Judith

 

[Amy]

Hi guys, thanks for that. Feel a lot better now!
Judith, I cant believe your chuck ate a whole frog??!?!?!? That is amazing!!
My Bluebell (Melinda) is such a piglet its untrue.
It doesnt bother me that they are not laying Im just paranoid that they will become egg bound!
I think Im a born worrier but just wanting to make sure everyone is healthy and happy as I have 2x ex-battery girls arriving on Saturday!!! So excited!

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Amy,
I couldn't believe she ate it either, what a pig
Big question, where have you got your Ex-batts from? I posted something earlier about my situation. Would like to take on a couple of ex batts but the site says you have to have more than your existing flock - I have 4 hybrids. Could do 4 batts but would need a new house, my house will take up to 6 only and had it 4 weeks :roll: Would love to get my hands on two.
Anyway, good luck with the new girls, I'm sure you'll love them
Judith

 

[Amy]

Hi Judith

My ex- batts are coming from the BHWT website (Battery Hens Welfare Trust). I just filled out a registration form, got contacted from my area agent if you will and got put on the waiting list (its been about 6 weeks or so). I think as long as you have facilities to look after them and already have your own chucks therefore a degree of experience your good to go.
Contact them and they will be more than happy for you to have some.
I've just got a new run for them all but they wont go in it! Another battle to commence!
Let me know how you get on with the ex-batts! Im really excited...will post some pics when I get them!