First Egg Countdown

[stcroixusvi]

We are now getting 9 eggs a day from 18 hens (one day 10!) but only 1 blue egg from 4 ee's. And none of the 2 Polish hens have laid yet - they all turned 24 weeks last Tuesday....on another note, we removed two of the Polish chickens and are building separate digs for them. One is my favorite rooster - he was temporarily rehomed until I decided I needed to get him back - long story - this chicken math is tough. Wish I could be a bit more cavalier but when you raise them from chicks, not easy.....I love those guys. We put him with Amy, our slightly deranged silver-laced Polish. The two are happy together. It's the first time I've seen the rooster try and protect any of the hens.

 

[wowmanacat]

Well, If any more of mine start to lay I will be very surprised. The weather is now staying in the 60s most of the time and dropping nights are in the 30's and 40s at this time,b ut that is going to go down too now that winter is almost upon us. I do have 4 that are laying very sporadic at this time. I really would love to see more start but I really don't think it is going to happen with as cold as it is getting. I could be wrong for this is the first winter I have had chickens.

 

[ronott1]

Quote:
>>>

It's not the cold that stops them it is the light. Chickens need 12-14 hours of light to lay eggs.

Pele and Happy Chooks suggested adding light--you add the light in the morning. I installed a light fixture and a timer to each coop. Yesterday I got 8 eggs from 9 chickens in the first coop. The other coop has two golden comets in it and I got the light installed on Saturday, so It has not been long enough to get them going again.

Of course you can not supplement with light, but some of the chickens(apparently Heritage chickens are more likely to stop with low light than hybrid's) will not lay again until late February to March. That means no eggs or very few eggs for four or five months. One person said she lets them stop laying for November and December but starts giving them light in January. That way she only has to buy eggs for two months and they get a two month break.

Good Luck!

 

[Happy Chooks]

I do not light my coop, as I prefer my chickens to have their body rest when they need it. But those who do add light do so in the morning, so as not to disrupt their roosting behavior. Exceptions can be if you have a rooster and neighbor's close by - not sure they would appreciate crowing at 3AM. Then you can split the difference, adding some in the morning and some in the evening.

 

[Pele]

I do not use light either in the winter (granted this is my first one with my own hens). Growing up on the farm, my Mother always said that the hens were taking their 'winter vacation', like the reverse of summer vacation for us kids

I think it's healthy for them to build up their reserves again, if inconvenient for us humans who have to go to the store for our eggs.

So far though, my girls are religious about their egg-laying cult. Everbody produces 1 a day, no matter what.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
That's why you hatch every year. The current year pullets give you eggs.

Of course, I started with 7 and now have 26.

 

[ronott1]

Quote:
That's why you hatch every year. The current year pullets give you eggs.

Of course, I started with 7 and now have 26.

>>>>>>>>>

This is a bit off topic for First Egg, but here is a link to breed descriptions that includes winter laying. Look for the blue snow flake, which indicates breeds that lay in the winter.

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

Ron

 

[Pele]

Quote:
That's why you hatch every year. The current year pullets give you eggs.

Of course, I started with 7 and now have 26.

Lol !!! Oh don't you worry. Once I get more than an acre of land to my name, I'm going on a chicken spree!! My poor DH knows better than to do anything but stand out of the way

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
That's why you hatch every year. The current year pullets give you eggs.

Of course, I started with 7 and now have 26.

>>>>>>>>>

This is a bit off topic for First Egg, but here is a link to breed descriptions that includes winter laying. Look for the blue snow flake, which indicates breeds that lay in the winter.

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

Ron

Cool chart!

But even winter hardy breeds need to molt. My BR has molted just about every feather. She's growing back in now, but still has bits of "fluff" hanging out.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
That's why you hatch every year. The current year pullets give you eggs.

Of course, I started with 7 and now have 26.

Lol !!! Oh don't you worry. Once I get more than an acre of land to my name, I'm going on a chicken spree!! My poor DH knows better than to do anything but stand out of the way

It's oh so convenient for chicken math.

But honey, I have to hatch or we won't have any eggs to eat this winter.