Help with sulking chooks

[Elaine Hope]

I had suspected our 3 bantams were spoilt before our holiday, but now it's confirmed. Before our break we were getting 21 eggs per week,but whilst we were away productivity dropped to 4 in 10 days! Since our return a week ago we've had nowt and they spend all day huddled in the nest box and are not tempted out with leaf beet, their usual favourite. Any ideas about encouraging the return to laying?

 

[Kristen Morse]

Given that they are Bantams they may well have gone broody, if that is the case you will have to deny them access to the nest either by shutting it off or if that is not practical putting them in a cage with no nesting material and only water to drink for a few days. A cold bottom and no food stops them wanting to sit after a couple of days. Otherwise have a look at our discussion on lice and mites as that will make them unhappy and stop egg production if not treated.

[Daniel Martin]

sounds like your girls have gone broody