This afternoon I went to spend some time with the ladies and my BA was causing quite the ruckus. She kept going in and out, nesting for a few minutes, then leaving only to come back again. squuuuuaaaaaaaaAAAAK she would say, with the occasional encouraging bok from the BO while going in circles would be pretty much the extent of the activity. I was listening in amusement since none of the other girls have made noise or any other form of egg song for that matter when it came to making an egg. Since the BA was a new layer and it was taking so long I was beginning to worry that she may be having some difficulty but after a while she settled down while I kept quiet watch. This was my second time I watched but first time I said to myself I would (providing she was positioned correctly) catch the egg. You know it's time when they stand up, and within about 30 seconds out comes the egg amazingly warm. What I wasn't expecting was the transformation in color. Her first few eggs have had a very fine speckle of white/brown through the entire surface. This egg came out a gorgeous brown, the bloom wet, until a few seconds after hitting the air. As the bloom dried, it went from glossy brown, to a mottled finish. It was just amazing to watch, all the while the BA stood there recovering from her hard work. Probably not something I would do again, but I was glad I did as it raised my appreciation for their efforts a notch. Thanks for listening : )
oh oh, we have had a similar day! this morning one of my 3 BA's (all 22 weeks) , coming in and going out, in the box, out of the box, scratching etc. I watched and waited unill I had to leave. Before I left for grocery shopping I stopped at the chicken house/run and found a very beautiful brown egg laid in the outdoor run in the new leaves! darn I missed it! When I came home, we have a very beautiful little whitish pullet egg. also in the run. So, total today, brings the amount of eggs to......(((drumroll))))....... 12!
It happens. I had one that took over the role of roo after I got rid of my roo. She had always been top hen. About 8lbs of BlackSexie, a hen to be reckoned with! She even went as far as mounting other hens. The folks I gave her too when I downsized said she is still in control at her place with her dozen hens. She won't let the roos get anywhere near them
I saw 2 of my girls laying in 1 day, I never seem to be around when they lay, but I don't like picking them up wet yuck. but recently my buff orp laid an egg very light compared to what she usually lays I think she is in molt which I'm very happy for because she has been bald on the back since I got her from her last home and didn't realize that she wouldn't grow the feathers back till she molted, but thats the only thing I can attribute the light color egg to.
OH, my....just learned something. So, if they have lost feathers....from the rooster or pecking...they won't grow them back until they molt??? I had no idea. I have a bald headed, all red headed hen that I bought along with four others. I can't tell you how ugly it is! I have been pumping up her diet thinking that if I got her healthy, plenty of protein and lots of calcium that she would grow some feathers back on her head! She looks like she is all comb and wattles. Well....her being healthy is more important than feathers I guess!
