*Buff Orpington Thread!*

[TheSpiceGirls]

Oh ok. I started doing that because they never went to their pellets that much but from now I'll cut it down to mostly layer pellets. Thanks for help

Today she feels a lot better too. Running around again

Some birds don't like pellets. In which case you can feed them crumbles. Layer crumbles and layer pellets are the same formula just processed into a different sized shape for the chicken to eat.

They will nibble on these all day long.

 

[CuzChickens]

I don't have an incubator yet, but I plan to get one, I'd love to hatch chicks!

I'm fixing to have six incubators....

 

[henmania]

She got her first proper egg out

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She got her first proper egg out

A lovely egg it is!

 

[henmania]

e A lovely egg it is!

Haha thanks. She thought so too. Boasted about it for a good 10 minutes.

Also, I checked the organic layer pellet packet and it's only 3.5% calcium. Apart from grit/oyster shell and crushed egg shells what else is good source of calcium? I usually mix 1-2 handful of the above into the pellets.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Quote: Ha! One of my BO girls is boastful about everybody's eggs! She loves to sing and get the rooster to join in - they can go at it for a loooonnng time

I never get tired of hearing it.

Offer the oyster shell free choice - I place mine in a dish attached to the run post. I do dry and crush up egg shells and scatter for them as well. Do a search for calcium rich fruits/veggies, you may be surprised by what you find. Remember their main nutrition needs to come from their layer feed, but having a fresh variety keeps it interesting for them - you will quickly learn what their favorites are - for mine fresh leafy greens like Kale, Kale and more Kale tops the list

They do get other veggies and fruits as well - I like to keep them guessing, but mine will eat Kale everyday if you have it.

Your layer feed has a fair amount of calcium, so that along with the oyster shell you shouldn't have too many problems.

 

[henmania]

Ha!  One of my BO girls is boastful about everybody's eggs!  She loves to sing and get the rooster to join in - they can go at it for a loooonnng time   I never get tired of hearing it.

Offer the oyster shell free choice - I place mine in a dish attached to the run post.  I do dry and crush up egg shells and scatter for them as well. Do a search for calcium rich fruits/veggies, you may be surprised by what you find. Remember their main nutrition needs to come from their layer feed, but having a fresh variety keeps it interesting for them - you will quickly learn what their favorites are - for mine fresh leafy greens like Kale, Kale and more Kale tops the list   They do get other veggies and fruits as well - I like to keep them guessing, but mine will eat Kale everyday if you have it.

Your layer feed has a fair amount of calcium, so that along with the oyster shell you shouldn't have too many problems. 

Haha that sounds fun to watch. It was really funny watching my 2 today. The one laying was running around clucking before she laid and kept running into her coop and the other one kept going and poking her head in to see what the deal is.

Thanks for the advice. I might do the same with the oyster shells and put them separately mine is mixed with grit so might have to buy some on it own. I do give mine some greens but will try some kale too see if they like it.
I am trying to keep their main source of nutrition their layer pellets but my family always take it upon themselves to give them rice and bread (when I'm out) since they gobble it up -.-

She's laid 3 eggs in total and all have had really soft or no shell so I'm hoping it'll get better once she gets the hang of it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Haha that sounds fun to watch. It was really funny watching my 2 today. The one laying was running around clucking before she laid and kept running into her coop and the other one kept going and poking her head in to see what the deal is.

Thanks for the advice. I might do the same with the oyster shells and put them separately mine is mixed with grit so might have to buy some on it own. I do give mine some greens but will try some kale too see if they like it.
I am trying to keep their main source of nutrition their layer pellets but my family always take it upon themselves to give them rice and bread (when I'm out) since they gobble it up -.-

She's laid 3 eggs in total and all have had really soft or no shell so I'm hoping it'll get better once she gets the hang of it.

They are so fun, I can just see the other one following her wandering what in the world!!!

One of my BR laid her first egg after molt today, she was clucking and carrying on - she came outside an was placing pine needles, sticks and leaves on her back - I think this is a nesting behavior. One of the Wyandottes saw this and she started putting leaves on her back too!

There is no absolute right/wrong way, but it may be better to have separate dishes for grit and oyster shell. It may be harder to pick through the grit to get to the shell - just my thoughts on that.

Since your girl is a new layer, it's not unusual for them to lay soft or shell-less eggs at the beginning. It looks like the one in your last photo is a nice one, so she may have everything working out now.

 

[henmania]

  They are so fun, I can just see the other one following her wandering what in the world!!!

One of my BR laid her first egg after molt today, she was clucking and carrying on - she came outside an was placing pine needles, sticks and leaves on her back - I think this is a nesting behavior. One of the Wyandottes saw this and she started putting leaves on her back too!

There is no absolute right/wrong way, but it may be better to have separate dishes for grit and oyster shell.  It may be harder to pick through the grit to get to the shell - just my thoughts on that.

Since your girl is a new layer, it's not unusual for them to lay soft or shell-less eggs at the beginning.  It looks like the one in your last photo is a nice one, so she may have everything working out now.

Sounds like it can be nesting behaviour because other birds I had use to do similar things. My canary used to gather sticks or anything stick like from around the house and build a nest. So did my parrot.

Yep, I can't wait till the other one (older one) starts laying too .
Every morning it sounds like "I have an egg stuck in my bum" and 30 mins later "phew". Haha

 

[CuzChickens]

BO chicks are two weeks old today. Zero deaths, and I'm starting to see the faintest signs of some feisty little roosters.....