Colorado

[Pozees]

Andalusians tend to be a bit flightier than dual purpose and meat breeds. They are primarily known for their lovely, large white eggs. I categorize them along with Leghorns and Fayoumis and other light bodied, egg laying breeds. They will also settle back down almost as soon as they are done being startled - they lean heavily toward the flight half of fight or flight response

 

[EHook518]

Please pass the word to anyone you might know...Free Fiber Goats

 

[Mtn Margie]

I have found that if you walk out to the coop with a piece of chicken and eat it in front of them that this will generally get them going in a week or two. LOL. Maybe stop by the store and get one of those cooked roaster chickens and show it to them. That and a stern talking to. 28 weeks is a long time.

I agree! I also lecture the girls on making the choice between the DINNER table or the BREAKFAST table. So far, I have had remarkable success in egg production!

 

[FrogEggs]

I agree! I also lecture the girls on making the choice between the DINNER table or the BREAKFAST table. So far, I have had remarkable success in egg production!

My mother in law notoriously left her non-laying chickens at the city dump..... she later bumped into a friend, who "found some chickens at the dump - who would be mean enough to abandon them like that?" (MIL did not confess). Those chickens started laying again like crazy. So we tell our girls that they'd better start laying soon, or Nana will "dump" them!

 

[FrogEggs]

Anyone near Pueblo have duck eggs for sale (for eating)? I have a friend that asked today....

Please tell me your prices, etc.

 

[Chick N Mama]

More Egg Encouragement Tips, Please!

I, too, have been waiting over an endless summer to be rewarded by eggs (first pullets received at end of March) and just got my first egg on Aug 1st! Now my Amber Sex Link lays about every other day,but she is one of the youngest... The oldest hen, a Buff Orpington, finally just this week started. I am watching the signs: reddening, posture, etc. and most of them seem ready. Besides threatening them with a skillet and sweet talking, what else can motivate a flock to start making ME breakfast ? My hens are:Amber Sex Linked, Buff Orpingtons, Silver laced Wyandotte, Blacks Australorps, Welsummers, and Easter Eggers. I suppose patience is the word of the day.

They forage in addition to their feed which is currently Ranchway Organic Grower; Oyster Shell available nearby for the layers.

Do fake eggs in the nest boxes help or not? How long should I leave the actual eggs in the box during the day? Just seeking tips to get me through this painful wait...

 

[gardendufus]

DISCLAIMER: Only on my second year of chickens....not an expert by any means.

It is my understanding that the fake eggs are good only for encouraging the girls to lay in a particular location once they decide to lay, not to stimulate the actual egg laying. Chickens lay when their bodies tell them it's time. My 7 new girls, gotten as day olds 3/19 have all been laying for a couple of weeks, except for a partridge rock who has not yet started laying and doesn't look like she's even close to it.

The one thing I've learned from this second batch of chicks is that egg laying is indvidual to the specific birds. When my first group started laying I got only 1 pullet egg out of a group of 8. The others were smaller than a large egg, but I wouldn't call them a pullet egg. This group has been laying eggs smaller than a storebought small egg ever since they started. I give my eggs away, and feel like I have to apologize about the small size everytime I give them away.

When my first batch started laying, I must have collected 3-5 times a day. Since I don't seem to have any problems with egg laying or misplaced eggs tho, I now usually only collect once in the evening. If the weather is extreme (over about 85 or freezing), I collect more often. But most days I collect about 6 in the evening. Doesn't seem to hurt the eggs to be left that long.

 

[samsr]

More Egg Encouragement Tips, Please! I, too, have been waiting over an endless summer to be rewarded by eggs (first pullets received at end of March) and just got my first egg on Aug 1st! Now my Amber Sex Link lays about every other day,but she is one of the youngest... The oldest hen, a Buff Orpington, finally just this week started. I am watching the signs: reddening, posture, etc. and most of them seem ready. Besides threatening them with a skillet and sweet talking, what else can motivate a flock to start making ME breakfast ? My hens are:Amber Sex Linked, Buff Orpingtons, Silver laced Wyandotte, Blacks Australorps, Welsummers, and Easter Eggers. I suppose patience is the word of the day. They forage in addition to their feed which is currently Ranchway Organic Grower; Oyster Shell available nearby for the layers. Do fake eggs in the nest boxes help or not? How long should I leave the actual eggs in the box during the day? Just seeking tips to get me through this painful wait...

All my new hens that i got this spring. 5 from Feb. and my two mutts hatched on St. Patrics day are laying. I do think that fake eggs in the nesting box do help as well as them hearing the egg song does seem to encourage mine into laying. The only one of mine not laying is the silky. She may take a bit longer Patience is definately the best bet. Shortly after starting to squat my started laying. Mine tended to get a bit talkitive a couple of weeks before laying also. Just be patient with them amd they will start. You may want to take a walk around the yard and see if they have a hidden nest somewhere.

 

[kelseylv]

I live in the high country of CO and would like any tips/tricks for keeping chickens happy in the winter! I have heavier breeds, so they are good for the cold weather, but since it can easily be -30F here, I have been researching heat lamps. Any one have experience with these extreme temps? As much as I want my ladies to be happy, I don't want to pamper them with the heat too much, since it can detrimental. Any input is appreciated!

 

[samsr]

I live in the high country of CO and would like any tips/tricks for keeping chickens happy in the winter! I have heavier breeds, so they are good for the cold weather, but since it can easily be -30F here, I have been researching heat lamps. Any one have experience with these extreme temps? As much as I want my ladies to be happy, I don't want to pamper them with the heat too much, since it can detrimental. Any input is appreciated! 

durring last winter when it got to about -23 where I am. I got a panel heater for my girls. I disnt want to take the chance of burning my coop down with a heat lamp. I have it attached it to a thermo cube, so it comes on automatically. It works well for them. I check the temp in the coop using a wireless thermometer, so i can keep track of the temp in the coop from inside my house. This set up works well for me.