Something of a rapid decline. One by one all my hens became broody except for Buffy and Maud. For a week I was getting just one egg every few days from Buffy - Maud has always been a reluctant layer. A week or so ago she stopped laying and I didn't pay any attention. I've been working hard on all hens, trying to pick them up every day and handle them. I've been hand feeding them to get them really tame and then picking one or two up. With four broodies, I've literally had my hands full, picking each one up, giving her a little cuddle and stroke then putting her outside to encourage her to forage and maybe forget about being broody.
With all these hens to handle, I'd not been picking Buffy up. I spotted her in with the broodys and thought she was joining in the broody fun, but when I picked her up, she was ever so thin. And so quickly. She'd been looking a little pale for a while, but apart from giving her tonic and chicken spice I'd not really thought it worth worrying about.
Now that I looked at her, I could see Maud pecking her, which Maud despite being much bigger doesn't generally do. She was either poorly, or Maud was bullying her because she was the only other hen around (as the other four were broody).
I moved her to a separate eglu and gave her hanging hentastic treats which she pecked at with enthusiasm. She had her own water with tonic in it and chicken spice layers pellets and I just waited. She seemed to be rallying round. Her comb became more pink and I thought she was recovering. After four days on her own, I decided to give her another couple of days to be sure she was better and then if the others went for her when I reintroduced her, I would select one to put with her and then reintroduce them as a pair.
This morning saw a dead Buffy. I was so surprised. She seemed so much better. Maybe there was an underlying problem. I guess there isn't any more.
I think perhaps I'll consider getting another couple. With four broody hens and Maud, I have to buy eggs.
