Very informative ... I'd just like to add that if you pick up a hen and she starts squawking, calm her down -stroking her, talking calmly, etc - before putting her down so that your rooster sees that you aren't harming her. He's less likely to react.
Reviews by BellaM
What a lovely, well written article! Thoroughly enjoyed reading it 
Just a little sidebar - I've found that by not "forcing" my hens to lay through Winter with artificial lighting keeps them laying longer (for obvious reasons) and they live longer too ... My elderly ladies pick up their egg-laying with enthusiasm in Spring. It tapers off as the months roll past but I'm always surprised by how many eggs I get from the ol' girls in Spring (when I really need them!
) and early Summer.
I believe the Winter rest is necessary for their wellbeing
. We all need time off.
Thank you for this lovely article, take care and warm regards from South Africa
Just a little sidebar - I've found that by not "forcing" my hens to lay through Winter with artificial lighting keeps them laying longer (for obvious reasons) and they live longer too ... My elderly ladies pick up their egg-laying with enthusiasm in Spring. It tapers off as the months roll past but I'm always surprised by how many eggs I get from the ol' girls in Spring (when I really need them!
) and early Summer.I believe the Winter rest is necessary for their wellbeing
. We all need time off.Thank you for this lovely article, take care and warm regards from South Africa
