Colorado

[Pozees]

Well I'm not a happy camper......

The good news is two of my girls have started to lay...the bad news is, someone in the flock of 6 is an egg eater

I don't know what to do about it, if there is anything I can do about it. I've looked to see who has "egg on their beak" but to no avail.

I'm hoping this is a phase and whoever is just needing more calcium. I have a couple of problems with the oyster shell, one is my younger girls can't have it yet because they're too young; the other problem is my big girls (that have started to lay) won't eat it.

Any suggestions, anyone?

I'm really bummed.....

Couple things: First, egg eating, if they are actually breaking eggs to eat them and not just cleaning up an egg that is already broken, is almost always due to a need for more protein. You can give them cooked egg, meal worms, meat, chicken, fish, whatever you have around that will give them a protein boost. Some people feed cat food, tuna, as I said it is just whatever you have handy or can get easily and inexpensively. Second, offering oyster shell won't hurt your younger girls, as they may sample it but won't really eat enough to cause harm (I never say never, there is always the oddball here and there, but it is very unlikely). I've seen my cockerels eating oyster shell from time to time, mainly just to see what it is.

I know it's frustrating, right when they are getting under way, but they should get themselves straightened out in time. In the meantime, as far as your roosts go, Bob built some nifty little portable roosts out of 2x6 scraps and 2x2s. They have a piece of 2x6 on each ends and 2 2x2s across the top, so they're only 8" off the floor - safe and easy to move. The ones he built are just shy of 4' long, to fit into my pens in the new coop. Even little Silkie chicks can get up on them, and they look just blinking adorable sitting on them

 

[Pozees]

Do any of you guys use community nest boxes?
How critical are dimensions?
I have 4 pullets but I know once we start laying Ill want more chickens like 6-8 total.
I kinda wanna make our new coop with community nests and the baby coop will be turned into one with nesting boxes aka 5 Gal Buckets ...Keyhole Lock System to hang them horizontally ..

My layer coop has two nesting boxes that are about 12" deep and 16" long, they sit right on the floor, and are open topped. I had as many as 7 hens laying at one time and they all used one over the other - not always the same one of course, they would switch between them, but usually as soon as the first egg was in one, the others used the same one that day. My Silkies prefer to use the back of the pen behind their roosts, I have offered them a couple of different styles of nesting boxes and they don't care for any of them so far.

 

[Denverchickee]

Oh my! Had a little chicken scare tonight. My bantam cochin and RIR were both not looking to great when I let everyone out this afternoon. So I kept my eye on them. Saw the BC was laying in the corner. I thought I would rattle the mealworms and she came running only to vomit when she tried to eat her treat.
I was thinking they might be hot. so I got a bucket of cold water and gave them both a soak. About a hour later they are forging around in the yard and eating again and being normal selves. Go figure?
Phew glad thats over!!!

 

[WendyGeisler]

LLC
I seem to remember a post about forming an LLC that cost a dollar. Is that right? For those of you who did make your self a company, can you tell me how you did it? Thanks!

 

[Pozees]

LLC
I seem to remember a post about forming an LLC that cost a dollar. Is that right? For those of you who did make your self a company, can you tell me how you did it? Thanks!

If you go to the Secretary of State's website you should find the information you need there. I paid $50 to organize, right before the great deal came along, but oh well. I don't know if it's still $1 or not, but even $50 isn't bad. If you don't find it let me know, I'll see if I still have a link lingering about on my computer.

 

[jgurshtein]

Hm, heard a bunch of squawking in the run today and looked over to see my suspected roo trying to mount one of the hens.... Would anyone be interested in a gorgeous while Brahma roo? This pic is from two weeks ago, I'll try to get a newer one tomorrow... this guy is always moving so he's sometimes difficult to photograph!

 

[P-Funk]

Why are you all so far away from Franktown? Not to sound like a Dire Straits song

It seems like everybody is from the 'Springs'. Am I missing something?

 

[Pozees]

Why are you all so far away from Franktown? Not to sound like a Dire Straits song

It seems like everybody is from the 'Springs'. Am I missing something?

Dire Straits ... never enough - but really, so far away is more Carole King, no?

I think about half are Springs and south, and the other half are Franktown (you) and north - several members are from the Denver area and Boulder.

 

[FlockOfGirls]

My layer coop has two nesting boxes that are about 12" deep and 16" long, they sit right on the floor, and are open topped.  I had as many as 7 hens laying at one time and they all used one over the other - not always the same one of course, they would switch between them, but usually as soon as the first egg was in one, the others used the same one that day.  My Silkies prefer to use the back of the pen behind their roosts, I have offered them a couple of different styles of nesting boxes and they don't care for any of them so far.

Very cool, thanks for sharing

 

[Mtn Margie]

Couple things: First, egg eating, if they are actually breaking eggs to eat them and not just cleaning up an egg that is already broken, is almost always due to a need for more protein. You can give them cooked egg, meal worms, meat, chicken, fish, whatever you have around that will give them a protein boost. Some people feed cat food, tuna, as I said it is just whatever you have handy or can get easily and inexpensively. Second, offering oyster shell won't hurt your younger girls, as they may sample it but won't really eat enough to cause harm (I never say never, there is always the oddball here and there, but it is very unlikely). I've seen my cockerels eating oyster shell from time to time, mainly just to see what it is.

I know it's frustrating, right when they are getting under way, but they should get themselves straightened out in time. In the meantime, as far as your roosts go, Bob built some nifty little portable roosts out of 2x6 scraps and 2x2s. They have a piece of 2x6 on each ends and 2 2x2s across the top, so they're only 8" off the floor - safe and easy to move. The ones he built are just shy of 4' long, to fit into my pens in the new coop. Even little Silkie chicks can get up on them, and they look just blinking adorable sitting on them

x2 Very well said.