I was just wondering... Do banty hens produce as many eggs as the standard hens of any particular breed?
There are breeds which are bred specifically for egg production (rhode islands, leghorns etc) They are large and will lay a large eggs pretty much every day slacking off during colder months. I have bantam cochins who are laying (just started) almost everyday but they lay very small eggs. We only have three humans and two dogs to consume them (and sometimes treats for the chickens) so we are very happy with our little eggs. I also have black rose combs who one started laying every other day then went broody on us. So now she has chicks and it still not laying. The other BRC laid an egg a week for about a month or so. These birds are an heirloom breed and are now bred, basically, for show. Eggs are just a bonus. There's my input. Hopefully it is helpful!
marymac- I have one banty hen that was given to me.... I have no idea what breed she is but we get around 5 eggs a week from her.... 2 of her little eggs approximately equal 1 large egg.
I have two questions and hope someone can provide me with an answer. I have four Silkie hen chickens and they are approximately 10 11 month old. One month ago one of the hens Beth started to lay one egg a day. Since they are all the same age why is only Beth producing eggs? Beth now stopped producing eggs one week ago and will not leave her nest. My girls are free roaming and at nights they are confined to their coop. Beth stays in her nest all day and night. I am concerned that she will starve and get dehydrated. So, when I take her out she eats and drinks like crazy and runs right back into her nest. Why has her behavior changed and what is the reason for that behavior? I am worried about her.
Quote:She's gone Broody for sure. Silkies are very well know for doing it, and doing it often! Bring her water and food close to the nest for the time being so you know she's eating and drinking well. Do you have any fertilized eggs to give her? (I did read they silkies generally can go broody after laying as few as 16 eggs!)
Thank you vfem, I do not have any roosters, so I do not have any fertilized eggs. She indeed started the behavior after about 15 eggs. I have been giving her food and water to make sure she gets all the nutritions needed. Today was the first time that she mingled with the other three girls, but one of them now started to peck her. She went straight back into her nest. The other two came into her nest and encouraged her to follow them, but she stayed in her nest. How long do you think this will last? Should I provide her with a wooden egg (I read that would help)? Sorry for my ignorance as Im a first time chicken owner.
