Our Sussex, Skye, has been consistently laying large eggs - 70/75 grammes as compared with the other two's 60/65. Collected the eggs today, grey girls normal eggs, Skye's tiny, less than half normal size and weighs 32 grammes. Is this just 'one of those things' or do I need to be concerned? All the hens appear well and are enjoying the lovely weather.
Tiny egg
- Thread starter dianefairhall
- Start date
Quite normal and fairly common Diane especially in a young bird just settling down to her first laying season. If you open the egg it'll probably have no yolk. They're known as wind eggs or less politely as fart eggs. An egg cell probably got released at the wrong time and the normal process of development somehow got interrupted.
See http://www.aviculture-europe.nl/nummers/07E03A06.pdf for further reading!
See http://www.aviculture-europe.nl/nummers/07E03A06.pdf for further reading!
Thank you, she is a lovely bird and I was hoping there was nothing wrong. While I'm here, should hens let me stroke them? Mine usually run away.
Some hens seem to like it but I expect it depends on how much you handle them and also what breed they are - flighty birds like leghorns tend not to like it but brown hybrids are much more laid back. Being a prey species I suppose most of them are wary of close contact but it is useful if they can at least be picked up calmly when you need to examine them. When they're in lay its usually possible to tempt them with treats and then put your hand on their back so they crouch and then you can slide your other hand under their tummy and hold their legs cushioned between your middle fingers and lift them. You should always hold their legs rather than trying to cover their wings with two hands - less panic and you won't get scratched if you have hold of their claws. Once you have the hen comfortably supported with your arm over her wings and your hand holding her legs she will calm down and you can have a look at her and trim her nails etc. It's good to do this regularly so that when you need to do so for medical reasons its much easier for both of you. It saves a lot of chasing around and distress for the bird if she is fairly tame.
Just be quiet and talk gently to them all the time. Never mind what other people think - on one occasion I went into the run and started on my usual soothing burble along the lines of 'Hello you're looking really good today - would you like a nice treat? Have you got a present for me? Come and let me stroke you then...' - and my neighbour replied in a rather startled way 'Sorry - are you talking to me?"
Just be quiet and talk gently to them all the time. Never mind what other people think - on one occasion I went into the run and started on my usual soothing burble along the lines of 'Hello you're looking really good today - would you like a nice treat? Have you got a present for me? Come and let me stroke you then...' - and my neighbour replied in a rather startled way 'Sorry - are you talking to me?"
MrsBiscuit
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08 Made me laugh Marigold! Seriously though, I am sure talking to any and all animals (and insects, I used to talk to my bees) is one of the best things you can do to get them used to you. My OH says I have a special voice used with animals and very small children, and I have noticed the same in both my Mother and MIL.
Some birds will never be comfortable with much handling, mine never were, its perfectly natural so don't worry about it, athough its much easier if they are calm.
Margaid
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I always talked to my bees Mrs Biscuit. You must tell them if anything serious happens, like a birth or death. A brave friend who was watching me asked if it helped the bees to talk to them, my response was "I don't really know, but it certainly helps me to keep calm"! Talking to my cats is obligatory
bigyetiman
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Our respective parents told us you must always tell bees about a death in the family.
OH says her mum always used to take her out in the autumn to say goodbye and good luck to all the swallows and martins on the wires to ensure a safe return for them.
Another one was to always say to a magpie "good morning, and how is Mrs magpie and all the young ?" otherwise bad luck would dog you through the day.
One thing about chatting to animals, they listen, don't interrupt, and never tell you are being stupid, and never offer an "expert" opinion.
Our hens like being handled, especially the Sussex, the Bluebelles never did. One good thing about handling them regularly it makes dealing with any cuts, mishaps etc easy to deal with
OH says her mum always used to take her out in the autumn to say goodbye and good luck to all the swallows and martins on the wires to ensure a safe return for them.
Another one was to always say to a magpie "good morning, and how is Mrs magpie and all the young ?" otherwise bad luck would dog you through the day.
One thing about chatting to animals, they listen, don't interrupt, and never tell you are being stupid, and never offer an "expert" opinion.
Our hens like being handled, especially the Sussex, the Bluebelles never did. One good thing about handling them regularly it makes dealing with any cuts, mishaps etc easy to deal with
Sorry I've strayed off topic! Morag, the Cuckoo Marans is very bold but if I try to stroke her runs away. If I do manage to touch her she will let me stroke her but she's not keen. I never seem to get near enough to Skye or Izzie (Bluebell).
Back on track now. Skye laid a normal egg today.
Back on track now. Skye laid a normal egg today.
