Recent content by Fritatta

None of them have ever layed in the boxes? Is it especially hot where the boxes are? Pine shavings would be better as bedding.

Is there any way for you to distinguish which egg comes from which hen? by color, size, shape, speckles, etc. How many next boxes do you have? Tell us more about your setup. What are they laying on? bedding? Mine lay on 3-4 inches of pine shavings, and I have actually seen one drop an egg from...

are you getting adult birds? We need more information about where you will get them, age, breed, etc. Pictures?

yes, the eggs can be there for several days. when Mom sites consistently, night and day, they will start to develop. And yes, they can be ANYONES eggs. give her a turtle egg and she'll mother it. they are GREAT and indescriminate Moms. 20-21 days from the first day she sits they will hatch. If...

yes, the eggs can be there for several days. when Mom sites consistently, night and day, they will start to develop. And yes, they can be ANYONES eggs. give her a turtle egg and she'll mother it. they are GREAT and indescriminate Moms. 20-21 days from the first day she sits they will hatch. If...

Holy smokes lets momma do her thing. As long as they all have enough room to spread out, and hide when necessary. Mom will protect them from the flock while introducing them to the flock. IF you separate them, you will have a tough time getting them back. Plus its about the cutest thing to witness.

aha! obesity could certainly be a factor. I am SURE she does not lay in a private nest. very sure. done the Private Eye work and I know who lays each egg. Oh well, I will keep doing it and report back with results, even tho it doesnt look like it will work.

it does sound like she doesnt see very well. and the other chickens will know this. does she have enough room to get away or hide when needed? Is she getting pecked to the point of blood? I would set up 2 or 3 places to eat and drink. if they arent pecking her to injury, she may be just fine...

My year old buff orp has never laid an egg. everyone else lays very well. She is very healthy (my fattest), gets to free range with the group, and appears to be the top hen. she is also the one who comes running to me when I am near, and crouches for me. I've seen that some folks reach down an...

I would put the youngest ones in first. They will get the lay of the land and stake out their places. Then a week or so later add the next group. then another week, add the 2 year olds. under supervision, of course. Make sure there are lots of hiding places (hay bales?) and lots of roosts. and...

what are you feeding them? My girls existed on Purina Layena and layed perfect eggs for 6 months. Now they free range with no change in egg quality. (except they are happier eggs!)

Quote: when one of mine got injured, she avoided the others and was MUCH more approachable. she knew she needed my help. Can you get hold of her and look at that leg? IF it is deformed or broken you may want to cull her. rather than let it go on.. Or, you may see something obvious that you can...

looked interesting: http://www.nationalband.com/nbtbird.htm

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feed him some live mealworms. from a pet store. and offer water. maybe hes had a good enough start with mama and you can finish it off-