Colorado

[suncatcher]

I got a wopper of an egg today 77.4 grams. It barely fits in the egg carton. I am starting to find eggs in the coop area after not finding any in there since I have had my hens. I got a total of 5 eggs out of six hens today. I have a question about a hen coming out of molt. Is it normal for a hen that is coming out of molt to lay soft shell eggs. I have been finding a couple soft shell eggs in the nesting boxes about twice a week. My cochin is coming out of molt and has been not laying since late October. She sure did look funny. I am sure it is her laying them.
On a side note, I think i have a BR that is going broody on me. She was sitting on a couple of eggs today and did not want to come off of them. I will know for sure tomorrow. To bad I only have one hen, for sure, that is laying fertile eggs and she isnt even the one. I wonder what kind of mutt chick I would have on my hands if she were. White Leghorn rooster and a BR hen. the one laying fertile eggs is a RIR, same rooster. one thing is for sure. The chick would end up large. My leg horn is huge. About two and a half feet tall. My hens are small in comparison, including the cochin.

Congrats on the eggs! My five are laying two a day, hope they pick up soon!

 

[samsr]

You are too sweet! We'll see where we're at next weekend. I'm probably a good 50 miles South of you, so it isn't just down the road. If by Friday morning I'm in a panic I"ll invite whoever wishes to come help, and buy several pizzas and soda.

How goes the coop assembly progressing? I think I know where you are at south of pueblo. I picked up a bagger attachment from a guy down there last summer. He had quite the brooder going at the time. I could come down, no problem. Just let me know. I would have to bring the kids however, 13 and 10. They could probably help. They love our little flock and what it takes to get ready for them.

 

[WendyGeisler]

Hi All,
any advice on how to candle a dark colored egg? I keep trying and trying and just can't see anything...

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Hi All,
any advice on how to candle a dark colored egg? I keep trying and trying and just can't see anything...

 

I was advised to use two candlers at once. My second one broke so I have just had to wing it as best I could.

Good luck.

 

[suncatcher]

Hi All,
any advice on how to candle a dark colored egg? I keep trying and trying and just can't see anything...

You can take a small box, and cut a hole it, put a light inside, and set your egg on the hole. I have also read that some people use sand paper, not sure that is a good idea......

 

[Adam7]

Hi All,
any advice on how to candle a dark colored egg? I keep trying and trying and just can't see anything...

 

I'm actually in the process of candling dark eggs. I made a candler out of a recessed can light with a piece of if cardboard with a hole cut in it. I put the egg on it and I stick a mini l.e.d. Flashlight on the top and candle from 2 directions. It is working fairly well.

 

[suncatcher]

Quote: That is a great idea!

 

[Adam7]

Well it was day 8 of my store bought eggs. I had all dudes accept for 1. I seen some veining. He is in the incubator all by himself now I cracked open all the others to check. None were fertile.

 

[mickey328]

Thanks Wendell. I noticed that our "bottom of the pecking order" hen seems to have a smaller comb than the others and wondered if it might have any bearing on why she gets pecked on so much. They're red sexlinks and I'm thinking it doesn't have much bearing on their laying behavior. She's always laid well although when she was stressed very badly by the bullying, her eggs were somewhat misshapen. She lays some of the largest eggs we get and now that she's over her molt and recovered from being bullied (the culprit is in time out for now), her eggs are just gorgeous...large, clean and perfectly shaped shells.

Thanks also for the "like" Think I goofed and made the page when I should have made a group. I've done that now though. Address is http://www.facebook.com/groups/coloradosustainableurbanhomesteadcooperative/ The Springs is only a couple hours south...wouldn't work for any sort of sharing where we'd have to get together on a regular basis but if we had a "bee" sort of thing, a one time trip would work just fine Please feel free to join, if you've a mind to...we'd welcome your experience and humor!

 

[Pozees]

How goes the coop assembly progressing? I think I know where you are at south of pueblo. I picked up a bagger attachment from a guy down there last summer. He had quite the brooder going at the time. I could come down, no problem. Just let me know. I would have to bring the kids however, 13 and 10. They could probably help. They love our little flock and what it takes to get ready for them.

Well, Tuesday and Wednesday were lost days thanks to weather, we got 4" of snow Tuesday and another inch overnight Tuesday night, but it was karmic - Bob had to head to Colorado City to repair a quit furnace, and didn't have to feel torn because there was no way he could work on construction. Today he will be back at it, finishing the floor, and hopefully by this evening at least standing up a wall or two when I get home to help. Tomorrow I have to work (month end closing), but should be able to do it from here, and will get started early so by the time it's light I should be about done and we can get right to work on the shed. If we can get walls and roof trusses done tomorrow, we should be able to get siding and roofing and at least one door done over the weekend. I hope. One window has to be in place before siding, the other can go in after; of course ideally both doors and windows and the vents will all be done by Monday, but rarely do these things go that well LOL. Right now I plan to work Monday and have vacation the rest of the week but if we are a day away from finished I'll work from home before sunup and stay here to get it done.