Freezer Camp For The Whole Flock!!!!!!!!!

[Ladyhawke1]

Quote:
Bingo!

 

[Ladyhawke1]

Setting a those pesky trolls aside…..there are so many good books and other information on-line as to what “chickens” are and are not. I personally suspect that people cannot or will not read about what to expect out of their animals.

I have had a lifetime of raising birds and animals. I am no nearer being an expert than before. Before I ever did anything, or obtained any animal, I did my homework. I was then armed with the wisdom of others so as to not let my creatures suffer from my ignorance. Of course that never stopped the unexpected from happening. However, then and as now, I am better armed in handling situations.

Since childhood, I have always sought the best information on the subject that interested me. How to raise and care for living things is not so much a mystery as an art. That is probably why I decided not to have children. I knew my limitations.

There are chickens and there are chickens. Some lay right away and some take their time. Some accept confinement better that others, and some convert feed more efficiently.

However, to everything there is a season. I personally am allowing natural light for my birds. I did choose to have birds that lay throughout the cold weather…which is usually the dark winter months on this planet.

I have no patience or charity for those who rush blindly into obtaining animals or any other living thing and expect the animals to run like a well-oiled machines. It ain’t gonna happen.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Barred Rocks and Black Autros are NOTORIOUS for taking a long time to start to lay. This is not a new thing.

I have ONE barred rock and 4 Black Astros and NOT ONE EGG. These ladies are full blown mommas and NOT ONE EGG.

Be patient, be tolerant and you WILL get eggs. The ONE black Austro is starting to sit the nest box, but no egg yet.

I have 25 layers and ALL the girls have slowed down. ITS COLD OUT IN THE BARN !!!

Even the broodies have given it up. Heck the only birds that are having a darn good time of it all are the stupid Guineas that

are suppose to hate the cold.

 

[aalbury]

It looks like George is gone deer hunting. It could be any or all of what's been mentioned. The "not fat" comment caused pause for me. In order to make eggs, the hens need to have enough nutrition for their bodies, then enough surplus for the eggs. Just like lean female athletes with low body fat -or obsessive dieters sometimes- will stop ovulating because their bodies could not afford to give anything to a baby.... I'd put them up with unlimited access to a layer pellet and lock em up with a light. My Australorps & EE's started laying at 6 months and are fat. I get an egg a day from them all. I only give them treats once a week and 14 hours of light. The pellets are like making a child eat their veggies. Leave them there and they will eat them. They are perfectly designed to provide exactly the perfect nutritional balance needed for egg laying.

 

[Shannon's Chix]

Quote:
I agree!

I can't believe this thread is still going!

 

[Ladyhawke1]

I got all my birds in March at day old chicks. I have two Australorps. The first started laying at 4.7 months of age. Her sister started a week later. My Jersey Giant started laying at 5.9 months old. My Cochin is still thinking about it. That is OK because I did not get her to eat her and she knows that. I keep excellant records on an Excel spreadsheet.

They are still laying almost an egg a day with a skipping of a day here an there.

I did not start them on medicated feed. As soon as the information told me to, I started them on layer feed. They ate all the weeds in my backyard. I gave them a few treats just enough to keep them interested. I changed their water twice a day. I hugged them and sang to them everyday ......that may make me mental to some of you.....but most things in this world thrive when they feel they are appreciated. No extra lights. They are my sweeties.

I say..."Hug a chicken today!"

 

[Ladyhawke1]

Quote:
For his sake, I hope the deer aren't armed.

Did I say that!

 

[aalbury]

Quote:
Heh....well I hope not....if he doesn't get one his chickens are done for!

There has to be a management issue. That many don't just not lay. They should be molting right now... 9 months?

 

[canada-goose]

Quote:
Bingo!

You may be right.


You know, I don't think he's been laying lately....

 

[ND Sue]

Another thing Chicken George could do, is, if he does the process one every Sunday idea, he could also do a little dissecting when he removes the guts and see if there are eggs all lined up in their various states of formation. We saw that with one of our Wyandottes that was killed by a raccoon and partially eaten when I came across the situation. What was left of her showed the eggs all lined up ready to mature and be laid.
If he did that, he would see if it will just take a little more time for them to lay.

I think that was good advice. Don't mess with the whole flock at once. Just process one and see. Also, what if they are crappy tasting like one poster said? My neighbor is trying to give me his flock that is older and not laying as well anymore. I asked him why he didn't just butcher since he has 4 kids and that would be the way to go. He said it is too much work all the feather pulling, etc. to process for the skinny chicken you get in the end. His are egg chickens not meat bred. I may be taking some in that are still laying.

I also really think Chicken George was trolling or he wouldn't have said he was going to repeat the whole thing next year. No one is that dumb.