The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: mccardey on October 05, 2008, 02:21:11 am

Title: This is a bit of a worry....
Post by: mccardey on October 05, 2008, 02:21:11 am: This morning my two chickens looked a bit dishevilled and cross - and when I went to check for eggs there was one empty soft flat eggshell on the ground and nothing else.

What would this be? Rats? Snakes? What should I do about it?

Help!!!
Title: Re: This is a bit of a worry....
Post by: pigsatlesrues on October 08, 2008, 10:28:37 am: I have already put an answer on this question. It has been taken off. Was there a problem admin?

Kate :pig:
Title: Re: This is a bit of a worry....
Post by: mccardey on October 08, 2008, 02:52:54 pm: I really am quite concerned about it....... We're assuming rats and thought we had ratproofed that cage, but I found the remains of another egg today and I'm worried in case its something to do with the hen not laying properly (though my first instinct is still rats or snakes....)

I'm keeping as close an eye as I can to be quick to empty the nest box.
Title: Re: This is a bit of a worry....
Post by: Dan on October 08, 2008, 10:41:00 pm: Quote from: pigsatlesrues on October 08, 2008, 10:28:37 am
I have already put an answer on this question. It has been taken off. Was there a problem admin?

Hi Kate

No posts have been deleted deliberately. It's possible there was a technical glitch that meant either your post didn't save correctly, but I can't see anything in the database that would explain it.

Sorry it's been lost, just to let you know we never moderate without letting the poster know why.

Dan
Title: Re: This is a bit of a worry....
Post by: witsinfr on October 11, 2008, 11:25:20 am: Quote from: Dan on October 08, 2008, 10:41:00 pm
Hi Kate

No posts have been deleted deliberately. It's possible there was a technical glitch that meant either your post didn't save correctly, but I can't see anything in the database that would explain it.

Sorry it's been lost, just to let you know we never moderate without letting the poster know why.

Dan

Thought that I would like to compliment TAS admin on that point, I wish that all forums (or is it fora?) would be as enlightened...
Title: Re: This is a bit of a worry....
Post by: garden cottage on October 11, 2008, 07:48:58 pm: are the eggshells forming correctly? it may be a diet problem, weve had soft squidgey ones in the past and some shells crush as the chicken sits on them so it would appear they are being eaten. just a thought neil
Title: Re: This is a bit of a worry....
Post by: mccardey on October 11, 2008, 09:40:14 pm: Thanks Neil - I'll bear that in mind. We've blocked up various holes which might have provided ingress for varmints, and the problem seems to be over now...

phew!