California - Northern

[PetRock]

Washed 11 doz eggs this morning. That was my contribution to the daily chores

Was so happy to see the colors. I'm afraid I played a little. Gifting some to the people who helped us this week. Making up pretty flats to give away. Wish I had some Welsummers for their copper eggs (arn't they copper?) and some Marans for their dark eggs, maybe a Langshan (don't they have a purplish bloom?) and for sure an Isbar. Can hardly wait to see what my olive eggers produce

I just love colored eggs! In only need 8 more hens for the breakfast maker group. 2 of each of the above variety... The trick is to keep the head count down to 40 in that house! Pictures don't do the blue justice. They are a nice baby powder blue but they look washed out.

Beautiful eggs!!!! My Wellies might not lay the best colored eggs but I love the birds & their eggs!

 

[Audio51]

Quote:
Those are beautiful too!!!

 

[CackleJoy]

Beautiful eggs!!!! My Wellies might not lay the best colored eggs but I love the birds & their eggs!

I like the dark coppery ones! I think they'd be a nice addition. Recently saw a photo of the uber dark Empendesca's (I can't say it or spell it so just assume you know what chicken I'm talking about). I think I'll need one of those some day too!

 

[Audio51]

Quote:
It seems to be going around here. I had this one and the banty Cochin and now have one Marans that is full-on broody and another looking like she is headed that way.

 

[CackleJoy]

I like the dark coppery ones! I think they'd be a nice addition. Recently saw a photo of the uber dark Empendesca's (I can't say it or spell it so just assume you know what chicken I'm talking about). I think I'll need one of those some day too!

Edited to say that those Wellies lay eggs just as I imagine they should! Such a pretty penny type color!

 

[chiqita]

I have a question about sprouted grains and can't find the answer myself.

Why can't I sew the seeds in the pasture among the bermuda and other grasses. Our soil is sandy and the grass is not dense; so the sprouts will be well drained and the bermuda won't choke out other plants.

When I'm researching the subject, everyone is going to alot of trouble rinsing transferring etc. I understand why that is necessary for
Supplementing in coops by giving them a tray
Of sprouted grains. But what about chickens that free range all day?

They sell foraging planting blends that are better
It I plant some of the wheat once it has roots.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

I have one that regularly lays shelless ones. Sometimes its there first thing in the morning, sometimes late in the afternoon. Usually I find it already broken and nothing left but the membrane when I go out to feed. She is the one I keep saying I'm going to make a freezer bird. I am still trying to work up the nerve. I think I should get some meat bird chicks and start with them. They would be easier to avoid attachment too.

It wouldn't hurt to give it a shot. I did increase the oyster shell and did start to get some with shell from her, but they are rough and feel thin. There is always a white ring near the big end.

Try giving her a small piece of bread with a drop of Vit D from a gelcap. It helped my hen with the same problem. I did it for several days in a row and she started laying good shells 10 days later. Watching to see if she has the same trouble this spring.

 

[ronott1]

It wouldn't hurt to give it a shot. I did increase the oyster shell and did start to get some with shell from her, but they are rough and feel thin. There is always a white ring near the big end.

Calf Mana may help too---Sometimes they need more Vit D and other supplements that are in Calf Manna.

 

[PetRock]

I like the dark coppery ones! I think they'd be a nice addition. Recently saw a photo of the uber dark Empendesca's (I can't say it or spell it so just assume you know what chicken I'm talking about). I think I'll need one of those some day too!

I have 3 Wellie hens that just passed the 1 yr mark.. 2 lay darker eggs and 2 are bigger with yellow legs which is good. I'm just not sure if the ones laying the dark eggs are the ones with the yellow legs. I need to catch them in the act of laying so I'll know. They are big eggs for the size of bird that they are. I have an OE (FBCM/AM mix) who lays a dark brown egg that is only slightly darker than my darkest Wellie egg. I am getting 12 FBCM eggs from Chickengirl1304 to hatch in the Easter Hatch Along to add another dark egg layer to the flock. I think that I need some Empendescas, too!

 

[WendyJeepchick]

They sell foraging planting blends that are better
It I plant some of the wheat once it has roots.

Where would I get that locally, without having to wait for mailorder?