Hen with chicks laying eggs

ackie

previously jwehl // dogs & cats & squirrels oh my!
Nov 3, 2020
5,155
15,997
566
Atlanta GA
Sorry if this has already been discussed.

I have a hen with chicks, and she has started laying eggs again.

She was attacked by a dog a couple/few days ago - shes fine, treated for shock, might be concerned about feather loss if it was winter, but honestly she's doing great. The day after she was attacked, she started laying eggs again. Shes laid 2 so far and shes game/orpington so not a huge layer anyway. She hasn't abandoned the babies or anything.

Do you think it's a weird trauma response or a fluke? She is also my only hen with spurs, if that's relevant.

I know this isnt important. I'm just curious.

(They're not biologically hers)
20220607_132524.jpg
20220607_132520.jpg
20220607_132514.jpg
 

oldhenlikesdogs

Visiting The Summer Fair
BYC Staff
Premium Feather Member
7 Years
Jul 16, 2015
49,732
93,516
1,582
Wisconsin
That can be normal. Some will wean chicks when they resume laying, and others will continue to mother them. Was she ever broody? Or did she just take in the chicks?
 

ackie

previously jwehl // dogs & cats & squirrels oh my!
Nov 3, 2020
5,155
15,997
566
Atlanta GA
That can be normal. Some will wean chicks when they resume laying, and others will continue to mother them. Was she ever broody? Or did she just take in the chicks?
She was broody and sat the eggs all the way through.
 

oldhenlikesdogs

Visiting The Summer Fair
BYC Staff
Premium Feather Member
7 Years
Jul 16, 2015
49,732
93,516
1,582
Wisconsin
She was broody and sat the eggs all the way through.
Than I wouldn't worry about it. She will probably continue to mother them for a bit longer before becoming disinterested in them. When hens start laying again it means the brooding stage is over, hormones has shifted, and they will start to make another clutch to hatch.
 

Romaana

Chirping
Sep 17, 2021
33
31
54
South Africa
Hi @ackie those chicks look old (I'm guessing around 6 weeks) and independent, they wouldn't need their mum anymore so she should start laying now if she moulted and come out of it. I can't determine whether she is in moult or if the dog pulled out her feathers.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Top Bottom