Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[BWKatz]

I guess I'm the exception. I had Easter eggs in one box when I started and they kept kicking them out so I finally got rid of them . When my younger pullets started laying I didn't bother to add any fake eggs but did add extra boxes. They all lay in the nests but the original one is their favorite.

 

[Mommy 2 Wee Ones]

Once mine started laying on a regular basis & I kept finding the golf ball kicked out of the nest. That is when I took the golf balls out.

I have one right now that is having a major hissy fit, because her favorite nest is being used by another hen.

 

[ladysfield]

Loved beekissed' remarks!! (post #41)

Who ever heard of someone worming CHICKENS? I don't remember anyone doing things like that when our family raised chickens. The most 'doctoring' a hen received was a Crisco rubdown for lice.

 

[flocksalot]

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Your not the exception unless our chickens are related. Mine will use the fake egg at first, but after a few days of me not taking it they toss it. I constantly see them out of the nests or moved off way into corner. They just don't want them in their anymore. Rarely do I have a problem with hens not laying in the nest boxes. In our case it's usually a broody that is making plans. Sometimes we find the eggs and sometimes we don't in anycase it usually resolves itself as the broody get sequestered to a broody house with some fresh eggs and all are happy.

 

[Mommy 2 Wee Ones]

Got the most eggs ever today, 11, still don't know if the Light Brahma's are laying yet or not. Lena was in the nest box today, but there was nothing when she got out. So I still have two BO who are not laying yet or were at least taking the day off.

All three EE laid, 2 blue 1 green.

Hey Al, I got one raised bed box built today. Stopped by a AC shop that had pallets. Asked about them, told them what I wanted them for, and the guy said "Sure!" Even helped to load them in the back of hubby's truck. If it is not too cold tomorrow, I hope to build another small one. Found a Youtube on building raised beds out of pallets, but his were table height, don't need mine that high. Am using one for the base, and cutting the other into four sections for the sides, then screwing them together. I have 3 mil plastic, just need to find a cheap staple gun to staple the plastic to the sides.
I am on a rolllll!

 

[BWKatz]

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Can u give me a link to that Youtube?

 

[Attila the Hen]

Fred's Hens :

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It is January and it is past time for Zero weather, arctic blasts, Alberta Clippers and all the rest. We're heading to -10F tonight. Yes, I'll be sure to feed them well. Especially after 2 pm. I'll break open a half bale of straw for them to kick around. Check the water. Clean and thawed. That's it. Nothing else to do. In the morning? They'll all be up and rowdy. Most will be laying too. I'm not concerned.

[URL]https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/69833_dscf2994.jpg[/URL]

I haven't had a single egg in well over a week. I was getting at least one a day from the 4 hens and now that has stopped. I have accepted that it is because of the shorter days and their coop has tarps over it making the day even shorter for them. Should I be concerned?
I've looked for hidden caches and found nothing.​

 

[Attila the Hen]

I had a beautiful pink marble egg I left in the nesting box. It disappeared--honestly it did and I believe a snake ate it. The big black snake I threw over the fence. I think it went off eggs after eating the pink one and I never saw it again.

 

[Linn Bee]

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I have two wooden eggs in each nesting box. The only time I've had a problem with them is when I took one out to clean it and the other was tossed to the floor. It seems that leaving two eggs works better for me than leaving one.

 

[Gypsi]

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Teach him to raid your hen house!

I have a large brown ceramic egg only distinguishable from a real brown egg by weight. When we had a bit of egg-eating going on, I remembered it and put it in the nest. They kick it out now and then, but I think the egg-eating stopped when someone bruised their beak.