In the end I did. For cost savings reasons I had identified places where I could go with bigger mesh (like the servants' quarters are not trying to be predator proof - just chicken/storage dividers) but in the end the guys building it persuaded me that it looked so much nicer with one kind of mesh (and of course they are right). It is not cheap stuff, but I am feeling good about the decision.
They are all beautiful eggs whoever gifted them to you!
I can only tell which breed laid an egg, but if I'm not out there when someone is singing the egg song, I wouldn't know which hen specifically. What matters it? They are all beautiful eggs!
That big tough bird does have his sweet side. Pippi is still quite aloof about the whole egg business. But he is a sweetie. He ignores us completely, and basically just stays out of our way when we are out there. They do all have such unique personalities.
About the egg/escort song... Our chickens have never made a peep when laying eggs, and we'd never even heard the egg song until a week or so ago. It first occurred as two of the chickens were interacting with us right outside of their front door, while the other one was inside the run, literally within arm's reach away from us but on the other side of some opaque plastic sheeting that we tacked up months ago to keep the snow out. It really sounded like a distress call to us, very loud and frantic, from the one separated from the others. Was it because she couldn't see us?Another Sign of Successful Integration
I was a little worried about egg laying with Sydney having laid in the Prefab yesterday. I should not have been. Check this out.
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Sydney's is in the lower box with Hattie's. Notice the actual nest making behavior. Aurora does not believe in nests.
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Here they are together for size comparison. Top to bottom
She is right there in size already.
- Sydney
- Hattie
- Aurora
The best part was when she came to the door singing the egg song or escort call,
Lilly was answering her!
I think they might have been calling out to her to guide her back to the coop. I'm not sure.
And now with Mad joining the chorus, it can be down right noisy out there.
Our poor girls have never even seen a cockerel, I don't think. In a way I guess that's kind of sad.I think they might have been calling out to her to guide her back to the coop. I'm not sure.
We have had a lot of egg songs since we integrated the cockerels with their girls. I was going out first thing in the morning to see what the alarm was for until I figured out they were just proud of their eggs.
On a serious note, I wouldn't have believed just how important good bathing facilities are for chickens. I think it's accurate to write the chickens here bathe daily. They travel a fair distance to find the best spots. Part of why the majority of the chickens here look so healthy is down to decent bathing soil types. Bear in mind these are free range chickens in what is a fairly difficult terrain and that's without feather damage from disputes.
Do I need to send you some instructions on tilling floors?
Mud will do it. The hotter the better. Ask any Turk.
