All of mine are laying....have 2 RIR, 1 Goldenlaced wyndotte, 1 dark Brahma. They have done so well, even in the single digit temps....just kept on laying ! I had been planning on adding another 4 but hubby is concerned about the fact that it would be right out in the middle of the backyard and be too top. I had sketched it all out....allowing the run even go under the small coop at the top. I had planned to get Ameracaunas....Thought another 4 would do well in that run and coop. I'm so bummed.....Tried to explained that some chickens are cold hardy AND heat hardy !! but don't think I'm going to get him to budge.! Any of you all know how to brainwash a stubborn hubby?? in a way he don't know he's being brainwashed?Hello Everyone here who participated in our egg waiting thread. My many apologies for being missing in action. Life has sure been throwing curve balls at me all year, and I hope this new year brings much better fortune. It can always be worse, so I hope to not sound like I'm complaining, but boy I miss when I had a bit more time to come here every day.
Let's all give an update as to where we are at with out chickens, and what we hope the New Year brings with them, what do you think?
My little flock brought us many eggs and delight throughout the year. Being the hatchery crew that they are I am eager to see how their second laying season will go. Eggs started tapering off around late November, and throughout December we were down to about 2-4 a day from the 9 hens I had. They all have seemed to go through their first serious molt, but all at different stages. Some molts were more serious than others. Where my first rooster Duke had ravaged the girls breeding with them all the time, it's nice to see all the feathers back and them looking plump and full. I was wondering if my second rooster Clark would still be mounting them throughout the molt but I haven't seen much of that going on at all. Do they know the girls aren't laying, and slowdown themselves? I stopped giving them layer feed, and bumped up to game bird feed thru the molt. Out of the 9, one seems to still be losing feathers but the others are all new feathered out.
In spirit of this thread, I wonder when they will start laying again? My first egg last year came on New Year's Eve from 5 month old girls. It will be interesting to see if they lay as prolific as last season. I think not but am hoping for at least 5 a day from the 9 girls. I hope to get a second dream flock this year, but need a coop first. Been looking for some used ones or a shed I can convert.
How are your flocks doing? I'd love to get updates!
Happy New Year to everyone, wishing you all the best!
Carmela