Our chickens stopped laying…… it’s not Berts fault!

[poiuytrewq]

OH’s hens have stopped laying. He has tried to blame Bertie
I didn’t mention that I’ve seen him on his way out of the coop a few times now, occasionally with the cat in tow- not sure what he’s up to!
Anyhow more recently the laying boxes contain dog toys…. Weird toy stealing chickens!

I can no longer defend him! He’s going to collect eggs, realising he can’t pick it up with a toy in his mouth so putting his toy in place of the egg he steals

Cecil would never be so slack!! i know which one has the brains

 

[Clodagh]

It happened here when we had the beagle pups on walk. I caught the culprit in the act!

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Oh my! I so wish you put up 2 cameras in the henhouse, one filming the entrance + main area inside the henhouse, and one filming inside the laying boxes, just so we could get to see it actually happen. Coming to think of it, I'm guessing such a video also would have the potential to become a viral sensation. Your OH and his hens could become famous.




Together with, hm, whoever leaves those dog toys...

 

[oldandgold]

Perhaps he is trying to be helpful by saving you the job of egg collecting

 

[poiuytrewq]

Perhaps he is trying to be helpful by saving you the job of egg collecting

Maybe! Instead we’ve been collecting from the shop!

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’m intrigued to know why the cat go’s too! I don’t think cats eat eggs.
There’s definitely no mice in there because the hens are better than the cats at mousing!

 

[poiuytrewq]

It happened here when we had the beagle pups on walk. I caught the culprit in the act! View attachment 133732

That face “uh oh”

 

[Clodagh]

That face “uh oh”

Beagles have no conscience whatsoever.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

I’m intrigued to know why the cat go’s too! I don’t think cats eat eggs.
There’s definitely no mice in there because the hens are better than the cats at mousing!

Curiosity/Inspector, wants to know what happens?
Though, it is also possible that the cat doesn't mind helping once the egg have been opened. When I fry myself some eggs, my cats occasionally wants some runny yolk on a plate which they can lick at/up.

 

[Moobli]

That’s hilarious!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Curiosity/Inspector, wants to know what happens?
Though, it is also possible that the cat doesn't mind helping once the egg have been opened. When I fry myself some eggs, my cats occasionally wants some runny yolk on a plate which they can lick at/up.

Maybe!
He is getting a bit more adventurous with food as he gets older! He used to refuse anything even fresh fish. If it wasn’t whiskas in his correct bowl he didn’t want to know.
Bert would share with him, he’d be a bit scared to say no

 

[silv]

Ha Ha, my bitch used to do that, she knew the free ranging hens would lay in the hayshed so she would spend her day sitting in there waiting on a snack. She got absolutely massive and had to go on a diet after eating so many. She taught my pup to do the same!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Ha Ha, my bitch used to do that, she knew the free ranging hens would lay in the hayshed so she would spend her day sitting in there waiting on a snack. She got absolutely massive and had to go on a diet after eating so many. She taught my pup to do the same!

Oh yes I hadn’t thought of weight but you’re right. I’m not sure how many he’s eating.
At the moment he’s a scrawny little thing and burns everything off but something for the future- although we are trying to come up with a way of preventing this whilst still allowing the hens free access.

 

[silv]

Oh yes I hadn’t thought of weight but you’re right. I’m not sure how many he’s eating.
At the moment he’s a scrawny little thing and burns everything off but something for the future- although we are trying to come up with a way of preventing this whilst still allowing the hens free access.

If you come up with a solution let me know!

 

[misst]

My old JRT used to sneak into the laying box but then got cornered by the hens one day. Five chooks surrounded her and were pecking her head! She was terrified. She still used to go in now and again but very carefully when they were out of sight. She was good at dropping the egg onto concrete so break it as she couldn't do it with her teeth as her mouth was too small.

 

[druid]

My old retired sofa surfer spaniel goes to the hen house and collects eggs daily, brings each one to the kitchen to exchange for a gravy bone. Never breaks/eats them though