laying
laying on Alektorophobia: a running collection of 10 stories we have gathered and hand-picked because they are worth your time. Every post here touches on laying in some way — the news, the analysis, the deep dives, and the occasional surprise find. Chickens. Everything there is to know about chickens and the fear of them. New stories are added to this page as we find them, so check back if you want to keep up with what is happening around laying, or subscribe to the RSS feed to get them as soon as they are published. Browse the collection below, or head back to the homepage to see everything Alektorophobia is covering right now.
missing chicken
## The Case of the Vanishing Hen: An Update Our community is buzzing about /u/ComprehensivePost701's perplexing predicament – a beloved chicken has mysteriously disappeared! After diligently observing her daily, this chicken vanished for four days, only to reappear with a nest of three fresh eggs (confirmed via the buoyancy test, naturally!). Could she have a secret, undiscovered nest somewhere in the garden, despite a thorough search? It’s a real fowl mystery! The user is treating the investigation like a police case, questioning neighbors and seeking clues, desperately hoping for a safe return. While predators aren't the concern, the possibility of abduction looms. For more insights into chicken development, check out our article, "Hen or rooster? 18 weeks of age.
A formal apology to Frankie.
## A Heartfelt Apology to Frankie (and a Cluck-tastic Update!) We owe Frankie a sincere apology. A few days ago, we publicly questioned our favorite hen’s dedication (and even her gender!) due to a late start in the egg-laying department. We went too far, and Frankie has proven us delightfully wrong. This afternoon, amidst a celebratory cacophony, she proudly presented her very first egg! It wasn’t precisely where we expected, but the sentiment—and the egg—are undeniably *egg-citing*. See Frankie’s momentous achievement, alongside comparisons to her flockmates’ eggs (brown Barnevelder vs. cream Wyandotte), in the photos above. Good girl, Frankie!
Finally got them to eat out of my hand!
## A Cluck-tastic Milestone! Hand-Feeding Success! Huge congratulations to /u/thetreeshateme for reaching a truly *egg-citing* moment! After just a month of welcoming their ladies to the coop, they've achieved the ultimate trust-building feat: hand-feeding! It’s a testament to patience and care, and a heartwarming sign of a blossoming bond between keeper and flock. Getting chickens to trust you enough to eat from your hand is a real victory – a testament to creating a safe and welcoming environment for your feathered friends. For those just starting their chicken-keeping journey, check out /u/Glittering-Okra7626’s “New to the game! Wish me luck!!” for some early-days inspiration. We're thrilled for this small but significant step towards a cluck-tastic relationship!
I'm mad today
Today, we're feeling a bit… ruffled. It’s tough news: we’ve lost another hen, this time due to a heartbreaking reproductive issue. Our vet confirmed it's a sadly common reality for laying hens – sometimes, their own bodies betray them. We’ve now lost three hens to Oviduct problems, each decline swift and unsettling. Despite our best efforts – daily cleaning, predator protection, supplements, vet visits, and diligent tracking of egg production – we can’t always shield them from internal struggles. It’s a raw reminder of the complex relationship we have with these feathered friends and the demands we place on them.
How to help her figure out nesting boxes?
## The Case of the Capstone Egg-Layer: Helping a Hen Find Her Nest So, you've got a chicken who's staging an egg-laying rebellion? It’s a cluck-tastic problem, but a cracked egg is *never* ideal! Many keepers encounter a hen who stubbornly prefers a different spot – like those lovely capstone blocks – despite readily available nesting boxes. It's comical, yes, but protecting those precious eggs is key. While some hens eventually come around, a little intervention can help. We'll explore strategies to encourage her nesting box behavior, from subtle nudges to more direct approaches, so you can avoid the heartbreak (and mess!) of cracked eggs. If you're also struggling with rehoming chickens, our article "where can I take chickens I can't raise?
My neighbors chicken decided to lay her eggs in my bag of Miracle Gro soil on my porch! :)
Oh, the cluck-tastic chaos of chicken ownership! Our latest submission from /u/Main-Cry1859 paints a delightfully relatable picture: a neighbor’s hen decided your Miracle Gro was the *perfect* spot for a nest! Attempts at a friendly pet were met with, understandably, some feathered flight. We've all been there, right? It’s a reminder that even the most charming feathered friends can keep us on our toes. Don’t worry, you’re not alone in navigating these fowl encounters. Sometimes, it's more than just a rogue egg-laying session—as seen in our article, "Hens with poop on their butt," where readers shared tips on dealing with messy rear ends! Check it out for more quirky chicken conundrums and community solutions.
URGENT!! Chickens hatching under broody hen- do I do anything??
## Urgent Hatching Help! A Broody Hen's Surprise Delivery! Panic setting in as your broody hen surprises you with a clutch of hatching chicks? We get it – it’s a *cluck-tastic* situation! While hatching chicks is usually egg-cellent, that early loss has you understandably worried. Don't chickening out! Generally, leaving them to it is the best approach; intervention can often do more harm than good. A light misting with water *can* help if you notice any chicks struggling to break free, but avoid overdoing it. This is a common conundrum, and you're not alone! For a look at some other adorable chicken updates, check out "Young adults!": I promised like a month ago to post these beauties as grown ups.
Skip settles the age old question, "Are Wyandottes noisy"?
## Are Wyandottes Noisy? Let Skip Settle the Debate! The age-old question has returned: just *how* noisy are Wyandottes? Skip’s here to deliver the unfiltered truth—what happened, when it happened, and exactly how it went down, even if you witnessed the spectacle yourself. A recent submission from /u/beepbopbippitybop2 details a ten-minute avian performance that left one hen, Midge, decidedly unimpressed, but ultimately resulted in a successful egg-laying session for all. Skip, initially concerned, thoroughly checked on the involved hen and confirmed she was perfectly fine—just a delightfully mischievous character. This lively discussion echoes similar observations about chicken quirks, like the surprisingly intelligent moments shared by many of our feathered friends, as noted in /u/MilesandTiles’ piece, "Chickens are such weird animals.
Please help. ASAP
Losing a chicken so suddenly is understandably shocking, and our hearts go out to you. It's devastating when a seemingly healthy bird declines so rapidly, especially with the distressing symptom of blood in her vomit. Suspecting poisoning is a reasonable concern, given her history of escaping and potential access to harmful substances. While pinpointing the exact cause without a necropsy is difficult, ingestion of toxic plants or chemicals is a leading possibility. The rapid onset and twitching suggest a severe systemic reaction. We understand you’re taking precautions with your remaining flock, and that's wise. For more on the joys and surprises of raising chicks, check out our recent piece, "Chicks VS Grown(ish).
Lost this linebacker to the heat today
It’s with a cluck-tastic sadness that we share the news of Peggy’s passing. Our beloved Chocolate Orpington, a beautiful lady weighing in at 8.6 lbs, succumbed to the heat today. Peggy was a real character, known for laying the tiniest, most precious cream eggs – a delightful contrast to her substantial size! Losing a feathered friend is always tough, and we’re sending heartfelt condolences to /u/Necessary_Many_766. This serves as a stark reminder of the importance of heat preparedness for our flock. For those interested in observing our chickens in their natural habitat, you might find our "Peckington Square Chicken City Livestream 24/7 Cam" a fascinating look at daily life on the farm. Rest easy, Peggy.