Spooky hens

[Guest Hjaltland]

Every year, about this time, my hens will get really nervous/ spooked for a few days. If I let them out when they are like this they will fly for ever, a large proportion of them staying out all night with inevitable losses. It only happens on a few occasions over the early part of the winter but it happens without fail every year and not at any other time. What the heck is bothering them at this time? Has anyone experienced this or can cast any light? The cocks dont seem to have the same problem.... the sexes are separated early sept until late feb. :-/

[Guest]

Wondered if it was anything to do with the autumn / winter migration?

 

Anything 'unusual' stop-off on Shetlands for  a few days en route to its winter quarters?

[Guest Hjaltland]

Well that may be a point brun, we do have fieldfares, and snow buntings passing through at the moment ... to mention a few.   Why just the hens?

[aarden]

ive only got one broken hen three days ago so i carnt tell you bout my birds

[Tony C]

Any different shadows hitting your lofts this time of year ?

[jimmy white]

hens tend to be very spooky last thing at night at this time of the year, [evening] the least thing will have them out all night,, better with the hens out early and back in again

[stew 75]

i had this problem a long time ago a old fancier asked if i had picked my pairs for next year. he said put hens in nest box  where thay  are going let them see cock but thats all for a few days ,when you let your cocks out let you hens out in loft for feed and drink, then put them back in nest box,it solved problem for me cheers stew

[stew 75]

hi james old eck erskin tod me to try that cheers stew

[Guest Vic]

It seems to me, that  in your own isolation  from the mainland, you will  encounter problems that we "landlubbers" will never experience. Aeriel  migratory predators  could be the problem. But surely, it's in your  own hands!  Best of luck with your problems. Vic.     (p.s. see my next post) I'll be up a bit later with the cricket.

[Guest shadow]

Rank hens go looking for cock birds they will settle when the weather gets colderand changing thier body clocks.

[stevebelbin]

I dont think its just this time of year, during the racing season if you let them out an hour b4 it gets dark they will do the same thing. A bloke in our club does it every year he lets his birds out to get them used to coming home in the dark from channel races, even trains them late on and his tend to have any amount of nights out where they just seem to fly into the dark and then land all over the place. My YBs did it years ago and they were still flying an hour after dark - bearing in mind this was in June - and I lost a few that night, probably due to them hitting things. Still not got a clue what caused them to do this!!!

[Guest]

Steve we had this earlier this year with Steve's small team of Van reets, who he used to fly early morning and late evening. He rang the bell for them to come in, just as they were about to land, 8 turned tail and flew off into the sunset, fortunately we got all 8 back at day break the morning after.

[schouwman71]

ive had this problem 2 years on the trot at this time of the year,and i have realised what the problem was,i live near prince of wales colliery and noticed since the neighbours cut there trees back hawks tend to pass along them and in winter there hunting nearer to the houses,this sets the pigeons off fast as it spooks them,when the trees were there i couldnt see this.

[Guest TAMMY_1]

hens tend to be very spooky last thing at night at this time of the year, [evening] the least thing will have them out all night,, better with the hens out early and back in again

 

WHAT WOULD YOU ATTRIBUTE THIS TO ?

[Guest Hjaltland]

Thanks everyone for your replies.... guess i'll just keep them locked in until the colder weather slows them down, only letting them out if they're suitably chilled  8)   mmmm maybe sean would kindly send me up some of his pills?