Triplets!

[Whats it called Cumbernauld]

Hi All,

 

Got a hen whos had some strange egg laying and hatching success this year and now to put the tin hat on it shes had

triplets. Does anyone have any information or experience of this? if so your comments would be most welcome as i am a bit surprised to say the least.

 

Thanks

 

Rab Smith

[Whats it called Cumbernauld]

The only logical theory is that another hen went in and laid on that nest. I watch my birds like a hawk (wink wink) and i dont think this could have happened with the current pairing in that nest. Anyway all info and comments welcome.

[Traolach]

I have a hen with similar at the moment, her last sitting she had four eggs-i removed two- but i know there are two hens on the case as both hens and the cock fed the last youngsters.

[chickadee]

We have never had triplets but we had a cock that paired with two hens and between the three of them raised four healthy chicks. we also had a broody cock who would go into the nest at every opportunity and between the three of them raised to more than well fed healthy chicks

[Guest IB]

I think you have another hen using the box. Experienced it 3 times this year - and its the first time I've ever had it probably because I started the season with a lot of spare hens - and 2 nests I have no clue which hen went in, but the 3rd was caught almost in the act, and was down to myself (1) not closing the box up when the occupants went to the race and (2) not preparing the pair's own box for the next round of eggs. There was a big youngster in their bowl, I usually put straw on the box floor for the youngster, leaving the bowl free for the hen to lay her next round; wasn't quick enough in doing that so the pair scouted out another box for themselves, and she'd already laid when I caught them both in it.

[Guest slugmonkey]

have heard of a method where a cock is put in empty loft ( no boxes or perches ) with 6 hens all are raised on floor and supposedly this works fine  

[chickadee]

Is it at all possible for a hen to lay three eggs ? I didn't think so but there are always freaks of nature :-/

[chickadee]

 

Had it years ago when we had the old cattrysse pigeons and it was definately one hen that laid 3 eggs doesnt happen very often never left them to rear all 3 but have taken one away and put it under another bird and all 3 eggs came off

 

Thanks Rose  

[square_peg]

 

They can do some odd things i had 5 spare hens when i was racing put them all in a spare section with my old westie cock he paired up with one and the hens paired up together they had 4 eggs never thought anything of it left eggs under them as they were all quite happy came as bit of surprise when all the eggs hatched not bad for a 17yr old westie with 5 hens  ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

you would love a 17yr old

[Whats it called Cumbernauld]

Thanks for the comments so far,as i have said it is the first time i have came across this feel sure it was the one hen, who layed all three eggs

[Guest stb]

bigdas spaceship laid an egg in yer nest pan,, ;D ;D

[Tenny]

I HAD SECTION WITH 8 PAIRS, ALL BLUES AND CHEQUERS EXCEPT FOR A REDCOCK AND A GRIZZLE HEN. THEY SAT 3 EGGS ALL TURNED OUT TO BE GRIZZLES.  WEIRD THING IS THE GRIZZLE HENS BROTHER WAS IN MY MATES STOCK LOFT AND HIS HEN LAID AND RAIRED 3 YOUNG ALSO?

[Guest Greig the doo Drysdale]

had something simler in my loft 1 cock and 2 hens all paired to each other in the same box they layed 4 eggs and the 3 of them were all sitting at the same time it was quite funny seeing all 3 birds sitting the eggs  ;D ;D

[chickadee]

 

you would love a 17yr old

 

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D