Arizona Chickens

[Sheof3Angels]

Got another brown egg today, seriously not sure who is laying because now my 15 week old red sex link is frequenting the nest box and clucking like crazy in it....and squatting when you pet her....Can the same chicken lay significantly different sized eggs?




And here's one of the girls enjoying a treat! How's the saying go? Happier than a hot chicken with frozen watermelon?

We just did the frozen watermelon too. It was gone before the end of the day. DD2 thought of putting grapes in the tubs of water we freeze and they love those too. Fun to come up with different ways to spoil.... I mean keep our chicks cool during these hot summer months,

Not sure about the egg thing, kinda new to this as well. But my little experience tells me different egg, different chick. I could be wrong, but those two eggs are quite different in size.

 

[Sheof3Angels]

Just posted new pictures of the chicks. More on my profile.



Been very creative with trying to get the chicks through this summer heat. The heat is fine when there's a breeze in the air but man o man it gets hot without the breeze. I have a few questions I'm hoping someone can answer.

1. My EE lays one egg a week, is that normal? Maybe normal for her? and when she lays the egg it is ALWAYS with an egg that another chick has already laid, could this laid egg be a trigger for her to lay one? Should I buy one of those fake eggs to get her to lay more?

2. Do chickens "share" a nest when laying eggs? I was told they don't like sharing beds so DH built 3 more nests and put them in the coop but nobody has used them yet. Hmmmm

3. I have seen many BYC people use the word pullet and broody, what do those terms mean? I think I kind figured out broody but would like clarification on both. TIA

 

[flower]

Officially a female chicken is called a pullet until one year of age. Being broody means that the hens system has an increase in hormones which causes the hen to sit on eggs for three weeks until she can hatch them and become a mother. While sitting on eggs, she does not lay eggs, get off the eggs once a day to eat,drink and poop. If you do not want your chickens to become mothers because you already have enough chichens and just want her to lay eggs, you need to try tricks to change her.

So a broody hen is called a broody for short. Male chickens are cocks until one year of age and then they are called roosters. We all do not want or need many roosters, so if you plan on keeping chickens be prepared to "harvest" or process young male birds and/or old hens who do not lay any longer. This is only practical since feed is expensive. In my opinion once you buy animals, you are responsible for them.

 

[kacklinkelly]

Quote:

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Those two stores are just too far from me. I called Western Ranchman and they said they won't have chicks until October. I'll try some stores in the East Valley. Anyone have any recommendations?

FYI - I've been to Pet Food Depot recently on Cave Creek north of bell road. They had chicks.

Just posted new pictures of the chicks. More on my profile.



Been very creative with trying to get the chicks through this summer heat. The heat is fine when there's a breeze in the air but man o man it gets hot without the breeze. I have a few questions I'm hoping someone can answer.

1. My EE lays one egg a week, is that normal? Maybe normal for her? and when she lays the egg it is ALWAYS with an egg that another chick has already laid, could this laid egg be a trigger for her to lay one? Should I buy one of those fake eggs to get her to lay more?

2. Do chickens "share" a nest when laying eggs? I was told they don't like sharing beds so DH built 3 more nests and put them in the coop but nobody has used them yet. Hmmmm

We have 3 hens and they share one nest box just fine. I've actually seen two of them in it at the same time. I am having the same experience with our EE. One olive colored egg a week and always beside one of our other girls' eggs. I have resigned myself to the fact that she has crummy production genes. She is normal in every other way. Thankfully, she is great entertainment and pretty to look at.

 

[Arizonachicken]

Headed to Per Food Depot now. THANKS!

 

[Sheof3Angels]

We have 3 hens and they share one nest box just fine. I've actually seen two of them in it at the same time. I am having the same experience with our EE. One olive colored egg a week and always beside one of our other girls' eggs. I have resigned myself to the fact that she has crummy production genes. She is normal in every other way. Thankfully, she is great entertainment and pretty to look at.

LOL!! Well I guess good looks and personality could make up for crummy egg genes. Just didn't know if it was "normal" for an EE. Thanks for the info.

 

[Sheof3Angels]

Officially a female chicken is called a pullet until one year of age. Being broody means that the hens system has an increase in hormones which causes the hen to sit on eggs for three weeks until she can hatch them and become a mother. While sitting on eggs, she does not lay eggs, get off the eggs once a day to eat,drink and poop. If you do not want your chickens to become mothers because you already have enough chichens and just want her to lay eggs, you need to try tricks to change her.

So a broody hen is called a broody for short. Male chickens are cocks until one year of age and then they are called roosters. We all do not want or need many roosters, so if you plan on keeping chickens be prepared to "harvest" or process young male birds and/or old hens who do not lay any longer. This is only practical since feed is expensive. In my opinion once you buy animals, you are responsible for them.

Thanks Flower, for explaining those terms to me!! We are not in the market for a rooster any time soon. Wayyy to busy to deal with having more chicks. Maybe in 2-3 years after my schooling is done. I totally agree that when you take in pets you are responsible for them until the end.

 

[Sheof3Angels]

So.... I just finished mowing the lawn in the back yard for the first time since we got the chickens and I guess one of my RIR's does not like her grass mowed. Good Lord she was clucking like there was no tomorrow and as loud as can be. Think she was trying to out cluck the noise of the lawn mower.

So far so good as far as the summer heat goes. Praying for no tragedies here.

 

[MaddBaggins]

Let the girls out this evening, for the first time in at least a week. One of the Buffs almost immediately squatted and gave us a double tap of soft shelled eggs right in the yard. Those were promptly snatched up and tossed over the wall.

I didn't know they could lay 2 at once.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

today about noon I opened to chicken door to let my girls out to free range. They came out one by one. I spent some with a start to clean up the mess of construction. I went inside to cool off and get hydrated. When I returned no chickens. I looked over at there pen, there all 8 were. e they like it in there, it is cooler then the yard at large.