I dislike the winter months for this reason…I see them for 10 minutes in the morning, and maybe 20 when I get home from work before dark.
I try to spend extra time on the days I am off to drink my coffee in the run or just sit out there when I drop off veggie scraps if the temperature...
I moved my 5 week olds outside a few weeks ago, and my 4yo lead hen, a Welsummer who has never been broody, has “adopted” them. It is adorable. She clucks to them when she finds food and I think because she is the head hen, the other hens accepted this group quickly. Easiest integration I’ve...
I am getting about 25-30 eggs a week from my 21 layers. Can’t wait for the new 9 to start. But won’t probably be until after the new year. The six hens that are a year are keeping us afloat, along with one of my 2yo Olive Eggers. Everyone else seems to be on molt break or winter break.
I should! Have to get out in good lighting…the weather has been high winds and rain! (Poor chickens…they still venture out of their protected run and come back drenched)!
I have a range of hens ages 8 weeks to 4 years. This year, the molt is BAD. I have about 7 hens who seemed to have lost half their feathers overnight. I have had 1 or 2 look like this in the past, but never this many at the same time.
A few look to have molted and grown back feathers already...
Weirdly, I have a new obsession…my Pearl White Leghorns from McMurray. They are like PETS! They follow me and jump on me and sleep on me 😂 but are also active and curious about their surroundings. Small sample size of 3, but they came from 2 different orders and all act the same. So I may add...
Thank you!
For all the genetists out there, I am specifically trying to figure out what pattern to put in for the rooster, along with whether he would carry the female pattern gene if he produced a female offspring. I was so looking forward to the pattern on the Buttercup hen so that was the...
What a great rare egg color! Reading back through the thread, it makes total sense…her copper neck is probably from a Blue Copper Marans (which Mt Healthy does carry)!
Congratulations on solving the mystery! And thank you for the update!
Wondering what color hen crosses I can get from him? I have a mixed flock with mixed breeds & varied feather colors. I would love to do a hatch from him but I enjoy a variety of colors. Making sure they won’t all come out looking the same if I hatch some eggs this spring. I would assume since...
I also think you should start with less than you can fit. Reason being…you WILL want more, so leave room for the next urge!
With breed, I have been hellbent on a few that I was super excited about, only to find they didn’t meet my expectations for what I thought I was getting. My Faverolles...
Besides what you already say you have had, some others would be:
Brahma
Plymouth Rock
Bielefelder
Welsummer
Marans
Salmon Faverolles
Not sure if you would want colorful eggs, but my olive eggers have been much friendlier than my Easter Eggers (all friendly vs all flighty, multiple sources)...
Thanks! Will definitely get some for indoors. Are they ok in an outside outlet? That is the only reason I haven’t used one yet…I have a single utility outdoor extension cord plugged in for the water.
I am hoping to move my 5 week olds outside this weekend to the big hen coop. I have a removable barrier in the run with an attached dog crate. I usually open the dog crate door into the sectioned area, let them explore all day, and they put themselves back in the crate when the adults head into...