I put the the word out that I needed boxes and am now inundated with them! Very few dozen boxes though; they seem to do them in 10's now... I think I may make some labels though...

Okay, so I did a little searching and I think it's a full crop. Then, when I looked, they all seem to be the same. Phew, I almost panicked there for a second xxx

Just been to see my girls and Jemima seems to have a swollen chest; right hand side. I've been treating her for lice but she's seemed generally fine. Any ideas?
Thanks

Finally, Bettie is no longer broody! Crikey, that was a long old time... Still, she looks happier now and I'm hoping she'll start laying again very soon. Well done Bettie Page. Now put your feathers back on!

Bettie's still broody. I'm still lifting her out and then separating them until the others have laid. However, does a broody hen put the others off? I'm getting fewer eggs now and they're laying later...

Thank you Lucy. I did put them all on the perches tonight, although I suspect she jumped straight down and nestled! Thank you all for the reassurances xxx Goodnight

That's great you lovely lot. Yes Steve, she's started growling, not aggressive, and stopped laying today. How do I deal with this? She sleeps in a nest box at night. Should I be putting her on the perch? She's got an appetite so I'm guessing she's fine generally. It's just a bit pathetic! I could si...

Also, if she's broody would she stop laying?

They do have meal worms each day but I could increase that. I haven't seen any evidence of bullying. She's not top of the pecking order, I'd say there maybe 2 below her... Broody, I think she is. When I stopped her from going into the hen house, I found her in the bag of straw, nesting! What to do t...

Me again. And Bettie! She hasn't laid this morning - unusual. She is still sitting in the nest box though. I lift her at at 6am, when they all go outside for food and drink. I leave them all with access to the hen house so they can lay. Then, usually, I have to lift her again at 11, when she's laid....

I built one for mine yesterday. I've only got play sand in it though. I do have some lovely soil I could mix in... I'll do it tomorrow.

Mmmmm..... I make no excuses, Steve, for loving this show! I teach year 3's all about the Tudors and it does no harm to have a mental picture of a semi clad Rhys Meyers in my head as we discuss Henry and his misdemeanours... The portraits of that era are so stuffy and staid, it's great to see them b...

Oooh, no you're not the only one watching Tudors! I missed them all first time round so have spent a couple of delightful months getting acquainted! Think I'm halfway through season 4 - Henry's just asked a sorrowful Katharine Parr to be his wife. Loved the Ann Boleyn era, not so impressed with the ...

Just lifted Bettie out of the bag of bedding! I'm keeping them out of the hen house today, otherwise she just sits in the nesting box. Brooding!

Just had to lift Bettie off of her egg, she's broody, poor thing! I was a bit apprehensive about moving her but, thanks to some great advice from another thread on here, I did and she's fine... Hungry but fine!