| Author | Content |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
October 25, 2009
07:39 PM Post #7207941
| well my hens are pullets size / age and they were going strong there for awhile then ... ??
its fall and i know when it cools down they start to lay less.
So i was wondering . We were getting up to 1 doz a week or more and nothing for the last 10 days. How slow do they slow down ? in fall and winter .
they are toasty warm in the coop .
eat laying mash / cracked corn. greens. scraps . bugs and lots of water .
i did rearrange their coop a bit by adding straw bales to help keep warm this winter .Six hens to two nest boxes .
any idea ?
thanks for any help |
Haystack
Ferndale, WA
October 25, 2009
08:26 PM Post #7208119
|
Hi Taynor's, sorry but thats not a slow down, Thats an out n out strike. Not sure about what breeds you have so can't address that, now but I guess my biggest question is how many hours of light are they getting, and are there any places they can be hidding the eggs? Even as we see them all wanting the same nest, they often follow suit if one decides to hid an egg and the others find it they will also lay in that hidden place. Good luck Haystack
|
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN
(Zone 4a)
October 25, 2009
08:39 PM Post #7208175
| The cold wouldn't be a problem. We had 45 or so hens last winter in a barn that froze solid. Still got 2 dozen eggs a day.
They may be hiding the eggs between the bales. |
jylgaskin
Williamsburg, MI
(Zone 4b)
October 25, 2009
10:28 PM Post #7208586
| I've been going through the same thing and so is a friend of mine. We both have timer lights so that's not the problem. I was getting one or two eggs a day out of 10 hens, so I figured they were moulting and got rid of all but three one year olds. I put my new ones in the coop and even though the most of them are at least 5 to 6 months old...nothing! I'm only averaging two to three eggs a week out of the year olds. I don't know what's going on.
Who else out there isn't getting any eggs? |
greykyttyn
Joplin, MO
(Zone 6b)
October 25, 2009
10:36 PM Post #7208605
| well my 5 to 7 month olds aren't laying like i expected. 5 eggs a week out of 30 hens. i just thought maybe they were slow starting. but it seems like one starts.. then another starts... then the first one stops. they aren't hiding them that anyone can find they all trot right up to the coop & lay them in a nesting box. heaven help whoever bothers them during the laying time. I've got assorted bantams, a silkie bantam, buff orps & welsummers.. oh & EE's. |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
October 25, 2009
10:50 PM Post #7208644
| the only thing i can think of is the plastic is not giving them enough light ?
i have covered the whole thing with plastic. Its a clear plastic i use for my Gh also. so maybe that is not enough light ?
i don't have a good picture but here is what i got.
so you can see the plastic
its on the sides.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
October 25, 2009
10:53 PM Post #7208651
| i m guessing that it is direct sun light ? i need to give them
i just don't have the money or the resources to make a fenced off area for them. Next spring i will but right now ??? i don't think i can make it . |
greykyttyn
Joplin, MO
(Zone 6b)
October 25, 2009
11:49 PM Post #7208787
| My coop was covered in plastic over 90% of it. My RIR's never had a problem with it. but i do have that corrugated semi clear lexion on the roof instead of a shingled roof. That might make a difference. |
Haystack
Ferndale, WA
October 26, 2009
12:41 AM Post #7208917
|
From what I can tell in that pic Taynor's you have plenty of light, sunlight or artificial light, it doesn't matter. They just need around 14 hours of light every day. My laying flock has lights 24 hours every day. Out of forty two laying hens right now I average 28 to 33 eggs every day and consistiently. Once in a while I will get thirty eight a day but not very often. Haystack |
cndydavis
Brookville, PA
(Zone 5a)
October 26, 2009
06:04 AM Post #7209156
| i agree with Haystack. the have to have that light..and a minimum of 14 hrs..my light comes on at 4am, and they start laying, i get most of my eggs by 9 am..i have 24 hens and usually get 18-22 eggs a day..in winter i will have the light come on even earlier..
look around all those bales of hay..mine will lay them in different places too. what ever the mood suits them..
good luck
cindy |
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN
(Zone 4a)
October 26, 2009
08:29 AM Post #7209361
| Just sold the last of my summer flock. I kept 10 for our own eggs this winter. We were getting 60 to 70 eggs a day recently. We kept 10, sold 62, so we were getting very good production. Our light is on for about 12 hours.
Bernie |
catmad
Pelzer, SC
(Zone 7b)
October 26, 2009
09:06 AM Post #7209468
| My hens are just over 5.5 months. In the past week, they've begun laying, at least some of them. I have found one med/lrg brown egg, and one about the same with the icky (yes, that's the technical term) but fascinating soft shell. But, the banties are laying. I know one is a White Faced Black Spanish, but the other two that are laying could be any of two Silkies, two red Cochins, or one barred Cochin, all banties. Somehow I'm not ready to eat the banties eggs yet, they're just too cute {G}...
I'm hoping for more eggs to get thru the winter, but since they haven't started now, and it's getting cold and dark, are they likely to wait until spring? The Non-productive (tho well-loved) hens are Standard Cochins, Turkens and Ameracaunas (okay, EE's) Light Brahmas and Australorps. The LB and Aussies are two weeks younger than the others, they crawled into my truck during a run to the feedstore... |
smedgekles
Conroe, TX
October 26, 2009
10:16 AM Post #7209669
| Our 40 something laying hens have been striking lately. The 3 yr old ones have layed maybe 2 eggs in the last 2 weeks. We have gotten a few more from the others but still sparce. We got 7 eggs in the last two days compared to none, one or two eggs a day for the last two weeks. |
greykyttyn
Joplin, MO
(Zone 6b)
October 26, 2009
10:35 AM Post #7209719
| My neighbor doesn't' give his light, never has, out of 50 hens he gets 40 to 45 eggs a day. (just thought of that this morning) his coop is an old garage with one little window. He doesn't give them anymore light than they get free ranging during the day, neither have I & with my 30 RIR's & barred rocks i got about 25 eggs a day. So I'm having trouble understanding why they need this much light. |
smedgekles
Conroe, TX
October 26, 2009
03:04 PM Post #7210641
| We have never added light on ours either. I think it just depends on the chicken and maybe the climate, not sure why it doesn't affect some hens, but light does affect some. We went on vacation and when we came back out girls weren't laying. I think they were protesting us being gone and not giving them their usual attention and scraps. We had someone caring for them but of course it's not the same as when we are home.
We also had two Silkies that took the opportunity to sit on the eggs they laid, so we are awaiting hatchings any day now. We were not letting them sit on the eggs when we were here because we didn't want anymore hatchings this year. Oh well, the spoiled ole girls decided that as long as we were not here to steal their eggs they were going to sit on them. They just can't let a good sitting opportunity pass them by. lol |
kassy_51
Pulaski, WI
(Zone 4b)
October 26, 2009
03:31 PM Post #7210729
| Hmmmmmm
And my BF thought ours were doing bad. 14 hens, all over a year old, some 4 years old, some 3. And he gets about 6 eggs a day average. Some days 10 and some days 4 so it has been averaging out to about 6 a day. |
BronxBoy
Lawrenceville, GA
(Zone 7b)
October 26, 2009
03:33 PM Post #7210739
| We are having the same problem. 2 eggs out of 25 hens
how do you know when they are done laying for good? |
kassy_51
Pulaski, WI
(Zone 4b)
October 26, 2009
03:41 PM Post #7210775
| how old are yours Bronx? |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
October 26, 2009
05:15 PM Post #7211124
| thanks that is good to know
welp i took the plastic and folded it down a ways. So they still have the covered area with about 4 extra feet . Then they have the open air area . They did attack one of the straw bales and its all over the place. LOL i got on my hands and knees looking around for eggs . I personaly think this amuses my chickens ! seeing a two legger walk around on all fours . What a sight for chicken eyes LOL sheesh
good to know all this stuff
thanks again
i will keep you updated on if i get any eggs.
off to feed the chickens |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
October 26, 2009
06:00 PM Post #7211260
| I was once lost but know am found
welp i found the eggs ! LOL
they were hiding them behind the straw bales oh and i found a mouse , bad ? 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
October 26, 2009
06:01 PM Post #7211264
| close up of the hidden nest 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
October 26, 2009
06:03 PM Post #7211272
| i did notice on chicken pecking at the eggs and i shooed her away ! naughty chicken .
so i will keep an eye on her .
here is the coop with the plastic folded over
i can alway put it back on when it really starts to snow and blow 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
BronxBoy
Lawrenceville, GA
(Zone 7b)
October 26, 2009
06:25 PM Post #7211355
| Not sure Kassy
Brought them grown as I didn't want to be bothered with chicks in the Spring. Any way to tell?
BB |
Haystack
Ferndale, WA
October 26, 2009
06:51 PM Post #7211465
|
HI B.B!! Hey there buddy, just a tip. Unfortunately people take advantage of others, and dump their worn out hens on the unsuspecting. Unless you know and trust the source, stay away from adult hens. It could be the entire reason for your lack of success. Haystack |
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN
(Zone 4a)
October 26, 2009
07:52 PM Post #7211667
| Older hens will go through a molt. No eggs while molting. They should be back to laying when done molting.
Last of my old ones are gone. We kept 10 for ourselves. 8 eggs today! |
BronxBoy
Lawrenceville, GA
(Zone 7b)
October 27, 2009
06:43 AM Post #7212878
| Got ya Haystack.
Thanks |
kassy_51
Pulaski, WI
(Zone 4b)
October 27, 2009
02:25 PM Post #7214029
| Our 4 year olds that are our oldest girls still lay for us BB.
Not ever day though, but then most chickens do not lay an egg a day.
Our brown girls lay big brown eggs, that sometimes don't fit into the jumbo cartons.
Younger hens will lay 1 egg every 3-4 days. A hen 30 weeks old
can lay 2 eggs every 3 days. Some have been known to lay an egg a day.
All breeds have different laying abilities.
|
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
October 27, 2009
03:31 PM Post #7214183
| got two eggs today
same hiding spot
think i may as well keep letting them hide them
good to know kassy :) i have wondered about egg production in different breeds. |
kassy_51
Pulaski, WI
(Zone 4b)
October 27, 2009
03:54 PM Post #7214250
| We have an EE that sometimes will lay an egg a day for maybe 2 days and then none the next day. How do I know it's that same chicken laying that egg all the time? She is the only one we have who lays what looks like a mud green egg. So we always know how well she is producing.
As the weather gets colder, we do notice a difference though. |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
October 27, 2009
05:32 PM Post #7214566
| i am wondering if i put some eggs back in the nest boxes , will they get the hint ? |
Jayryunen
Sapello, NM
(Zone 5b)
October 27, 2009
07:07 PM Post #7214846
| Never worked for me... until I figured out why they didn't like the nest boxes. And even when I did, out of 4 slots, a dozen hens all laid their eggs in only one of them. Except for sometimes... that any help? LOL |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
October 27, 2009
07:15 PM Post #7214865
| LOL
no :)
i guess behind the straw bales is a nicer feeling for them ? can't blame them. IT does look nice ,cozy and private .
i have heard of putting some clothe on as a door flap on next boxes ? i just figured one more thing ot get nasty icky .
i just hope the mouse that has taken up residene in the straw doesn't bother them to much.
|
Haystack
Ferndale, WA
October 27, 2009
10:04 PM Post #7215446
|
Hi Taynor's: Your right on with the privacy issue for laying. have a row of ten nests. I bought a small carpet with rubber backing and cut it in half then I stapled it to the nesting box, next i cut it vertically into half in strips so it hangs across the front of the nesting boxes and now they use every nest. I can go out and lift the lid and find ten hens, one in every nest. They do love their privacy. Hay |
kassy_51
Pulaski, WI
(Zone 4b)
October 27, 2009
11:55 PM Post #7215769
| Taynors, I don't think the mouse will bother them that much.
Ours Caught mice and ate them :-|
We had leghorns that chased each other around the yard with one in the front with a chipmunk leg...must have been chipmunk tag of football.
|
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
October 28, 2009
07:09 AM Post #7216153
| ok good to know on all this stuff
i will look into some fabric for a flap door on their nest.
i have heard of the breed Buckeyes and mice catching , so do all chickens catch mice ??
i like to catch grass hoppers and let them go in the coop and watch the chickens attack them while they pounce around LOL cracks me
up ... doesn't take much to amuse me these days LOL |
jylgaskin
Williamsburg, MI
(Zone 4b)
October 28, 2009
09:56 AM Post #7216463
| All mine love mice. You can tell by the noise out there when they have one. It's like a schoolyard fight. |
porkpal
Richmond, TX
October 28, 2009
10:25 AM Post #7216554
| We have been having a millipede invasion. I gathered up some of them and took them to the chickens thinking it would be a treat. The just gave the millipedes a sideways, "no thanks" look and walked a big circle around them. Are they poisonous or just unappetizing? |
Jayryunen
Sapello, NM
(Zone 5b)
October 28, 2009
11:39 AM Post #7216780
| I had the same reaction the first time I was served shrimp in the shell... I jumped back and hollered "It's got legs!!!" Didn't know what to do with all the legs...
LOL |
greykyttyn
Joplin, MO
(Zone 6b)
October 28, 2009
01:02 PM Post #7217074
| My RIR's & barred rocks loved mice, I have yet to see with the chickens i have now since the cats have kept most of the mice away. Another year & I'll probably have mice in the garage where i keep teh chicken feed but not yet. I use to call the chickens over to the hale bales, lift the edge of it & say " go get em!", they'd dive under there & attack whatever moved, namely mice. Doesn't take much to amuse me either. |
Jayryunen
Sapello, NM
(Zone 5b)
October 28, 2009
01:08 PM Post #7217092
| I don't have time or interest in TV for watching what all the critters around here get up to...
you just never know what you're going to wake up to... LOL
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN
(Zone 4a)
October 28, 2009
01:30 PM Post #7217173
| There's got to be a better way to secure your animal.
Very funny. |
greykyttyn
Joplin, MO
(Zone 6b)
October 28, 2009
01:36 PM Post #7217188
| That couldn't have been comfy... |
kassy_51
Pulaski, WI
(Zone 4b)
October 28, 2009
03:27 PM Post #7217508
| BF told me that ours even attacked a good size snake one time...It was probably those leghorns. Those girls were always into something. Sure glad I missed the snake attack though!
Interesting postion there Jay! LOL |
Jayryunen
Sapello, NM
(Zone 5b)
October 28, 2009
04:55 PM Post #7217769
| We call it having your A** in a sling...
I had suicidal leghorns once... jump into the dog's yard, save 'em, jump into the dog's yard, save 'em (I had 4 acres at the time, but when you gotta go, you gotta go...) jump into the dog's yard... let the dogs have'm.
After that I got NHReds. |
kassy_51
Pulaski, WI
(Zone 4b)
October 28, 2009
05:27 PM Post #7217852
| Our 4 leghorns would not sleep in the coop. Every night they were up in the tree roosting, even through snow storms.
BF use to do head count and it got to be a joke around Christmas time...
"And 4 leghorns in a boxelder tree".
We lost 3 of them to preditors we are sure, as they would not go in the coops like the other good girls. After that the 4th one started going in the coop at night, but would fly out of the run during the day. 2 neighbor dogs made a visit and got that one. |
Jayryunen
Sapello, NM
(Zone 5b)
October 28, 2009
05:48 PM Post #7217922
| Leg'erns must have a genetic predisposition for climbing inside a dog...
LOL
|
kassy_51
Pulaski, WI
(Zone 4b)
October 28, 2009
05:54 PM Post #7217946
| Well the dogs even tried to bury it under my BF's trees.
He walked around looking for it, and there it was half buried. A wing and it's feet were sticking up.
I think one of the dogs was planing on making another visit. Because all of a sudden the neighbors couldn't find their dog. They found it later in the ditch.
Was probably hit by a car when it was going to make another tip over. |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
October 28, 2009
08:16 PM Post #7218407
| talk about bad karma on the dog ? yikes |
kassy_51
Pulaski, WI
(Zone 4b)
October 28, 2009
08:21 PM Post #7218431
| We were thinking the same thing...LOL |
kassy_51
Pulaski, WI
(Zone 4b)
October 28, 2009
08:24 PM Post #7218439
| After that, any dog that entered the yard, the chickens had a fit over. Even an old wondering dog that was just looking for a drink and then was on his way again. |
Jayryunen
Sapello, NM
(Zone 5b)
October 28, 2009
09:38 PM Post #7218724
| chicken PTSD... |
kassy_51
Pulaski, WI
(Zone 4b)
October 28, 2009
10:38 PM Post #7218926
| I have never taken my dog up there, and it's probably a good thing.
He has congestive heart failure and has been on meds for it for about 2 years now, and with all the noise they make, he would probably have a heart attack right then. |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
October 29, 2009
08:15 PM Post #7222006
| awww poor thing your dog . |
Haystack
Ferndale, WA
October 31, 2009
01:54 AM Post #7226352
|
Hey Porkpal! Those Millipede's must have a bad taste, I have seen my cats chew on them and then spit them out like "OH YUK" and then their nose wrinkles up and they sneeze and lick their mouths like How do I get rid of this taste. Makes me laugh. Doesn't take much for me either. LOL Hay. |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
October 31, 2009
09:34 AM Post #7226835
| well i m getting two eggs a day and they are laying " IN" the nesting boxes . well at least the black and white chicken is.
i can't claim victory on the others. LOL
but i usually get two in morning and two in afternoon
haven't seen them mouse either ? |
kassy_51
Pulaski, WI
(Zone 4b)
October 31, 2009
04:18 PM Post #7227888
| LOL, the chickens problably had it for a snack. |
porkpal
Richmond, TX
October 31, 2009
11:47 PM Post #7229001
| Hay, I think you're right about the millipedes tasting bad. My cats won't touch them either. Even the ducks rejected them. I guess that is why there are so many, nothing will eat them. |
Jayryunen
Sapello, NM
(Zone 5b)
November 01, 2009
11:12 AM Post #7229919
| Has anyone tried feeding 'em to guinea hens? I mean, those speckled suckers will eat a squash bug and nothing else will. Maybe they'll eat millipedes, too.
Somethin's gotta eat a millipede... |
porkpal
Richmond, TX
November 01, 2009
11:23 AM Post #7229955
| Maybe a bigger millipede?
I'd rather have the millipedes than guinea hens... |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 01, 2009
12:34 PM Post #7230157
| pork you don't like guinea hens ?
|
Jayryunen
Sapello, NM
(Zone 5b)
November 01, 2009
01:33 PM Post #7230311
| Or something else equally desirable like... possums or skunks or armadillers.
LOL |
porkpal
Richmond, TX
November 01, 2009
05:59 PM Post #7231111
| At least possums, skunks and armadillos are quiet.
For that matter so are millipedes.
This message was edited Nov 1, 2009 4:16 PM |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 01, 2009
06:12 PM Post #7231154
| LOL yes i have heard they are noisy |
Loon
AuGres, MI
(Zone 5b)
November 01, 2009
06:50 PM Post #7231304
| Hope this comes out right. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 01, 2009
07:15 PM Post #7231406
| ROFLLLL
that is a good one ! :) |
greykyttyn
Joplin, MO
(Zone 6b)
November 01, 2009
07:32 PM Post #7231446
| Since when are possums quiet? ours are noisey creatures or maybe they just don't like cats peering out of windows at them in the trees at night. |
Jayryunen
Sapello, NM
(Zone 5b)
November 01, 2009
07:49 PM Post #7231520
| That cartoon it too funny! LMAO
Possums make noise?! What do they sound like?
There was a noise outside my window one night... I thought it was maybea couple of skunks in the throws of passion. Went out with my trusty flashlight and realized it was coming from up in the cottonwood. Shined my light up there and it was this little bitty owl raising a ruckus... and NOT happy about my trusty flashlight. |
greykyttyn
Joplin, MO
(Zone 6b)
November 01, 2009
07:58 PM Post #7231563
| well not a pleasant sound at 2 am.. (possums) Its kinda a chirpy chipmunk crossed with a cat chattering & hissing. They kept me awake for so long that I finally just opened my bedroom window & started taking pictures of them. This was their last night of freedom. The next night they became dinner for someone else. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 01, 2009
09:00 PM Post #7231780
| Jay you sure are brave soul going and investigating what might have been two skunks in passionate ways. I would pass on that and let them be . LOL
i had a skunk de'perfume itself right next to my AC unit all i can say is "wow what a stank in the house " LOL
here is our little Marley the Raccon
we named him Marely after the dog in the movie cuz he poops all over my deck and pulls up my potted flowers ! on my back deck. grrrr.
we havn' t seen him in several months . I think our neighbor might have got him ? he goes coon hunting in his back woods which is connected to our woods.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
greykyttyn
Joplin, MO
(Zone 6b)
November 01, 2009
09:43 PM Post #7231901
| o he is cute!
i didn't' go outside, we have double hung windows, i opened the top part, secured my camera very well, leaned out the window & took the picture fully prepared to slam it shut if they jumped toward the window. I watched them for a couple hours. They were fighting. The one on the bottom was a younger possum.
taynors - I just read where urs were back laying in the boxes. Congrats! Wish mine would. I've got 4 hens, either not laying or hiding the eggs but not sitting on them. |
Jayryunen
Sapello, NM
(Zone 5b)
November 01, 2009
10:43 PM Post #7232108
| Oh skunks are no big deal, Tay. They don't have much range and they do flip their tail up and stomp their hind feet if you get too close, so you have a chance to back off. I've had several daylight encounters and found them quite peaceable.
I watched one eat wild strawberries for the longest time... I was about 12' away, the skunk just ignored me after the first check out.
So I was flat amazed at the devastation they could wreak in the henhouse... I lost a dozen half grown New Hampshire pullets to a skunk in one night. I thought it was a weasel, but the neighbors said skunk and sure enough that's what showed up in the trap. End of skunk. |
Light_for_Jesus
(Zone 6b)
November 01, 2009
11:27 PM Post #7232248
| All this skunk talk, I found videos of these baby skunks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h9URaLFQ18&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DizP495xnEE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RggTVTqFGU&NR=1
Apparently some people have pet skunks. Wonder how smart they are.
|
porkpal
Richmond, TX
November 02, 2009
01:10 AM Post #7232520
| How smart? The people or the skunks? |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 02, 2009
09:39 AM Post #7233075
| well i guess it would be better than a watch dog to scare off criminals LOL imagine being a criminal and going through the window and stepping on a sleeping skunk on the floor ? yikes !
thanks for the congrats greyk , it sure is easier. LOL
i think one is getting broody on me. She is a bit hard to get off the nest . she had 3 eggs and just didn't want to get off.
So i m thinking of letting her keep the eggs. ? and see what happens.
any advice ? i m thinking if its successful i could move the mom and eggs in the new GH. ?
have an eggzelent day folks |
Jayryunen
Sapello, NM
(Zone 5b)
November 02, 2009
10:40 AM Post #7233243
| I've known pet skunks... they're actually the only wild animal that I've met that makes a decent pet... they're very friendly and mellow, don't require a lot of food, do fine on dog food, will use a litter box. They're not real happy about getting their nails trimmed, and the one we had at the vet tech school dumped the classroom trashcans all the time looking for food, but other than that Chips was a great house skunk. =0) |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 02, 2009
11:45 AM Post #7233448
| Who would have thunk skunks make a good pet. i think i will stick to dogs and cats LOL :) |
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN
(Zone 4a)
November 02, 2009
07:29 PM Post #7235099
| I've heard of house trained rabbits, but then they chew the legs off the furniture.
I'll stay with outside animals. Bad enough when a cat does it's business in a flower bed, let on the living room floor or some hidden corner.
|
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 02, 2009
09:37 PM Post #7235563
| eewww.
i don't do cats anymore. LOL i can do outside cats .
we bought a house from a lady and she was a gardener and made compost. well she put dog poop in her compost . yeah that was a fun surprise ! i was so excited that she left me her compost pile and then... eeeww.
well i found an egg in a strange location
my coop is a hoop coop with chicken wire around it. well... i found an egg inbetween the chicken wire and the plastic ?? how it got there is beyond me ?
if it happens again i will get a pic.
very strange : o |
Jayryunen
Sapello, NM
(Zone 5b)
November 02, 2009
10:13 PM Post #7235688
| The picture that formed in my mind of some poor desparate hen stashing her beloved eggs from the evil egg snatcher...
or backing up to the wire?
Or a game of chicken hoops...
LOL |
greykyttyn
Joplin, MO
(Zone 6b)
November 02, 2009
11:06 PM Post #7235867
| or a cute lil mouse trying to roll a huge egg out of the nest to take back home for scrambled eggs only to be interrupted by the evil egg snatcher leaving the egg in a very bad position wedged between the wire & plastic hoping it won't be noticed. :) |
Light_for_Jesus
(Zone 6b)
November 03, 2009
12:12 AM Post #7236087
| Did anyone ever tell you that you are a great group of people? |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 03, 2009
08:26 AM Post #7236582
| LOL yeah i was thinking similar thoughts too . :)
curses to the eggsnatcher and i wouldv'e gotten away with it if it wern't for those pesky kids . Ha.
foiled thy plans
Thanks Light_for_Jesus . you are great too :) |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 06, 2009
07:26 PM Post #7248633
| i got some pics of the girls and Mr.Boil in the leaves
they sure had a good time . 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 06, 2009
07:28 PM Post #7248638
| this is Ms.Shirley
she is out smallest little hen. I just think she is so cute , But i m partial . LOL 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 06, 2009
07:29 PM Post #7248640
| i promise only one more :) 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
porkpal
Richmond, TX
November 06, 2009
08:30 PM Post #7248843
| Almost makes me want to go find some leaves to rake up for mine...almost. |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 06, 2009
09:09 PM Post #7248982
| we got plenty of leaves. |
Loon
AuGres, MI
(Zone 5b)
November 06, 2009
09:47 PM Post #7249091
| I did the same thing. I sucked up tons of leaves mixed with grass with my tractor/mower. We then dumped them out into their outdoor pen that has a leanto roof over it. The leaves should stay dry all winter. They love rooting around in the leaves. In the spring I'll have instant compost for the garden I hope. |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 06, 2009
10:44 PM Post #7249231
| Loon i m looking forward to that also
wish i had one of them mulch bags on my lawn mower . The old school style is just way way time consuming . LOL |
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN
(Zone 4a)
November 07, 2009
12:04 AM Post #7249415
| I must have saved the right hens. I kept 10 for us & we are getting 9 or 10 eggs every day.
The chicks are growing fast. Only a week & already getting wing feathers.
Bernie |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 07, 2009
09:40 AM Post #7249941
| Bernie that is great !
what are you doing with all the eggs you keep for yourself ? lots and lots of eggs benidict ? LOL :) |
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN
(Zone 4a)
November 07, 2009
10:02 AM Post #7249992
| We have a daughter & a few friends that take what we don't need. |
Loon
AuGres, MI
(Zone 5b)
November 07, 2009
11:08 AM Post #7250170
| Same here. Our dozen hens give us anywhere from ten to twelve eggs a day. We make them stay in their indoor run most of the day and only let them free range after 4 p.m. That way they eat all their laying mash that has the calcium in it and they can then free range and top it off with whatever they can peck around and find. We sell some eggs and give some to family/friends. I am thinking about putting all the egg money in a jar then when it's time to go buy feed we'll use that money. That way the hens are financially supporting themselves. |
kassy_51
Pulaski, WI
(Zone 4b)
November 07, 2009
04:55 PM Post #7251024
| Loon, that's what we do. BF puts the money aside from eggs that he sells.
He said the girls basicly buy there own food. When they are laying good that is.
We also only free range in the late afternoon. Otherwise they get into way to much stuff, including the neighbors fields when they were out all day. |
CajuninKy
Inez, KY
(Zone 6a)
November 10, 2009
12:40 AM Post #7258783
| I have only gotten 1 egg since the move. That was from my little bantam. My dom hen that had started to lay pretty regularly before the move has not started again. And none of my pullets that are plenty old enough to lay have started. It has been 3 months since we moved. I took all but 2 roos out of the pen. One is my Bantam roo, Trey, and the other is one of the young roos, Gumbo. He is an EE. I put all the other roos out to fend for themselves. I feed them just a bit when I feed the others. That way, when I want to harvest one all I have to do it put the bucket down and when their heads are in the bucket I can take my pick. I think my hens don't get enough day light. I'll let them slide for the winter and come Spring I'll work on the problem. I want to rake a ton of leaves and put in my chicken yard. |
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN
(Zone 4a)
November 10, 2009
08:12 AM Post #7259269
| What do all you people feed your hens ? They need a balanced ration with around 17% protein to achieve good egg production.
My hens get all they want to eat of that. Only other food was an occasional tomato or watermelon during the summer. We are still getting 9 or 10 eggs a day out of the 10 hens we kept for the winter.
Cajun, your hens probably molted from the move. Depending on breed, they may not lay until spring, when natural reproduction time returns. (The desire to raise a family).
Bernie |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 10, 2009
08:25 AM Post #7259283
| I feed mine 2 cups laying grain and 2 cups cracked corn once a day , then all the bugs and fruits and veggies they can eat
yesterday was swiss chard, banana's , apples , old whole wheat bread and clovers i pick from the yard . i get about 5 eggs a day so far. 2 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon
sometimes i give them flax seed |
MsKatt
Mid-Michigan, MI
(Zone 5b)
November 10, 2009
08:28 AM Post #7259287
| My girls were hatched out on May 30th. I have a Black Star hen that lays every other day and a barred rock hen that lays everyday. My buff orpingtons, 2 other Black Stars and a cuckoo maran are not laying yet. I have two "barnyard' mix girls that are 6 wks younger and not even close to laying yet. :)
Mine eat a whole grain (except corn, that is cracked) diet and free range for part of the when I'm home. If I have to work, they have a fenced in run area. I supplement with oyster shell.
My girls are heavy and well feathered, they just aren't all laying yet. We do the same thing with the leaves, they LOVE to scratch around in them. |
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN
(Zone 4a)
November 10, 2009
08:43 AM Post #7259315
| The corn will cut egg production. It is used to fatten up animals, like beef steers & market hogs. To low of protein for production.
Our layer feed has oyster shells in it. |
greenhouse_gal
Port Elizabeth, NJ
(Zone 7a)
November 10, 2009
08:58 AM Post #7259357
| We feed layer pellets which have a 15 or 16% protein rating. We also bake and then grind eggshells and feed them to the chickens along with oyster shells. But ours also free-range in a fenced-in orchard all day. I've dumped leaves in there too and they do love them. Plus they get garden and kitchen waste that doesn't go into the compost. The compost pile gets the litter from the coop when we clean it out, plus the ashes from the woodstove, which also contains burnt chicken and deer bones and other interesting organic matter, so there's a nice cycle going on. We do NOT compost dog droppings, though. Yukkk! |
green04735
Bridgewater, ME
November 10, 2009
10:29 AM Post #7259605
| Mine get a 15% laying pellet that they can have anytime,get some scratch in the morning and a few sunflower seeds,and some table scapts. |
greykyttyn
Joplin, MO
(Zone 6b)
November 10, 2009
01:08 PM Post #7260113
| Mine get crumbles ( no clue on the percent of protein bc its the only thing i can buy here, all three feed stores sell the same thing) & corn chops, i cut then down to 2 parts crumbles & 1 part corn, no eggs.. put then back to half & half.. I'm getting eggs like crazy. I don't feed scratch. they steal birdseed from mom's feeders. They get table scraps & they free range over 3 acres. o & they raid the cat food dish or rather they terrorize the cats into giving up their breakfast. Friskies, purple bag. |
MsKatt
Mid-Michigan, MI
(Zone 5b)
November 10, 2009
01:47 PM Post #7260190
| My girls seem to be doing well on the whole grain diet, cracked corn makes up a small percentage of it. I'm pretty happy with it so far, but like everything else in this world..."your mileage may vary." :) |
greykyttyn
Joplin, MO
(Zone 6b)
November 10, 2009
01:55 PM Post #7260222
| what do you feed them for whole grains? I found that my feed store sells oats & thought about giving those to them mixed in with the crumbles for extra.. stuff.. I'm trying to convince them thier food is better than cat food.. bc cat food is expensive. |
greenhouse_gal
Port Elizabeth, NJ
(Zone 7a)
November 10, 2009
03:18 PM Post #7260493
| I started buy what's called scratch grain at Tractor Supply, and then I supplemented it with sunflower seeds. They really love them. I didn't realize that a diet high in corn would result in fewer eggs, but it makes sense, I suppose.
Since we eat the eggs I try to keep my chickens away from things like commercial cat food, because it has so many additives. I feed my dog a much better diet but the cat is a barn cat, and she's also picky. She likes Meow Mix and that's about it. I have to work a bit to keep my dog away from her bowl because she sees it as puppy hors d'oeuvres! |
greykyttyn
Joplin, MO
(Zone 6b)
November 10, 2009
05:15 PM Post #7260834
| My dog eats a LID food. My cats are such distance in age range that the two older ones can only eat that food or they throw up. therefore they all eat it. The chickens are just pigs. They steal it. I try to keep them out of it as well as the possums & raccoons.. but they all think its candy. |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 10, 2009
06:57 PM Post #7261129
| hmmm i never thought about sunflower seeds. I plan on planting some this spring. . They are really big sunflowers too.
i didn't know corn would slow eggs production down :( .
whenever i see lettuce mix in them bags i get a bunch of them. usually can find them for .99 when they are on the expiration date .
getting good ideas here folks :) |
MsKatt
Mid-Michigan, MI
(Zone 5b)
November 11, 2009
08:46 AM Post #7262756
| Greykytten:
http://www.lionsgrip.com/chickens.html
http://www.urbanexod.us/discuss/index.php/topic,23142.0.html |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 11, 2009
09:07 AM Post #7262803
| thank you for the links Mskatt
with winter comming around , i just can't seem to get them alot of greens . i got alphalfa in the feild but they don't seem to like it ? maybe it was due to the freeze and the frost make it bitter ?
next grocery i m going to ask for the scraps of greens in the produce .
i have a little hen who seems to be broody ? she is always on a nest she made out of a straw bale and is hiding
i m wondering if i should let nature take its course with her ?
any advice ?
they are very protected from weather , predators and warm and dry .
hope you all don't mind me switching subject ? LOL i just figured if i started a new thread , you all would be there too LOL :) |
CajuninKy
Inez, KY
(Zone 6a)
November 13, 2009
01:21 AM Post #7269269
| My bunch gets 12% horse mix and table scraps. Sometimes I toss in some 21% dog food. I plan to put them on laying pellets come Spring. |
BronxBoy
Lawrenceville, GA
(Zone 7b)
November 13, 2009
07:59 AM Post #7269572
| Well I got 3 eggs yesterday
Here is the chicken nightclub.
BB
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
BronxBoy
Lawrenceville, GA
(Zone 7b)
November 13, 2009
08:00 AM Post #7269573
| If the ask for cable TV...They've got to go
BB
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 13, 2009
08:13 AM Post #7269588
| BB that is a nice set up
LOL on the cable tv . |
porkpal
Richmond, TX
November 13, 2009
09:47 AM Post #7269820
| Possibly a pool table? |
CajuninKy
Inez, KY
(Zone 6a)
November 14, 2009
12:03 AM Post #7272315
| My duck wants a hot tub. Fat chance. Maybe a stew pot. LOL |
porkpal
Richmond, TX
November 14, 2009
12:12 AM Post #7272333
| Maybe that's what mine want. They seem quite uninterested in swimming in general. Perhaps they'd rather soak. |
greenhouse_gal
Port Elizabeth, NJ
(Zone 7a)
November 14, 2009
08:04 AM Post #7272869
| I have dug a small depression by the poultry waterer and when I fill the container I let it overflow into it. The geese adore it; they dabble in it with their bills and celebrate happily. The other day I dug it out a bit and it was deeper than they expected. The large gander was most surprised when he stepped in and kept going down!
He lost his mate, and I would put him in the stewpot except that I suspect he deters predators and thus protects my chicken flock. |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 14, 2009
09:34 AM Post #7272987
| your poor gander :( could he get a new mate ? i don't know anything about geese .
|
greenhouse_gal
Port Elizabeth, NJ
(Zone 7a)
November 14, 2009
10:19 AM Post #7273074
| It would be hard to order just one Chinese goose. And we didn't order any goslings this past spring because we still had a lot of geese in the freezer from the last batch. I don't why his mate died; one day we just found her lying there. It was a shame. |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 14, 2009
01:04 PM Post #7273452
| sorry to hear the loss.
|
