From tool shed to Coop?

[jthornton]

These are both Walther PPQ's, one a standard version and the other a Navy Tactical.

Very nice indeed. I just went to the Walther site and looked at them.

JT

 

[TexasWineGuy]

@jthornton
@aart

A question about eggs. Our Wyandotte, who has not started to lay eggs yet, over the last 2 weeks has dropped 3 "eggs" in the poop tray during the night. However, these "eggs" literally have no shell, only the outer membrane and perfectly formed yoke and white. Just no shell.

Is this normal for a youngster, or is there a problem?

The Ameraucana is laying very good quality eggs, although still small.

TWG

 

[aart]

Pretty normal for new layers to drop a few 'softies' when they first start laying.
It can take them up to a month or so to get things smoothed out.
What all and how exactly are you feeding?

 

[TexasWineGuy]

Pretty normal for new layers to drop a few 'softies' when they first start laying.
It can take them up to a month or so to get things smoothed out.
What all and how exactly are you feeding?

A 20% Laying Crumble, and full access to both oyster shell and grit dispensers. Also give them a very small amount of BOSS when they come out each evening for their "walk", just as a treat.

TWG

 

[aart]

20% Laying Crumble

What brand is this, never heard of that high protein with layer type calcium levels(3-4%).
I'd just give her time.

 

[TexasWineGuy]

What brand is this, never heard of that high protein with layer type calcium levels(3-4%).
I'd just give her time.

Wendland's. See attached nutritional analysis...

TWG

 

[jthornton]

Our Wyandotte, who has not started to lay eggs yet, over the last 2 weeks has dropped 3 "eggs" in the poop tray during the night. However, these "eggs" literally have no shell, only the outer membrane and perfectly formed yoke and white. Just no shell.

I had a some soft shell, no shell, no yolk, double yolk eggs as they get sorted out when they are pullets. I assume if you're in the chicken "business" you cull the ones not laying the way you expect by the time they reach a selected age. My 8 RIR hens just passed two years old and so far this month I've had 9 soft shell or no shell eggs and a few wrinkly ones too. The one thing I've noticed over the last year and a half of collecting eggs there are more eggs that are not "grade a" than you assume... in the grocery store you only see grade a eggs the rest go into other products.

JT

 

[TexasWineGuy]

Update:

I picked up a newcomer yesterday from a local guy - a Gold Laced Wyandotte. Fine looking bird. This guy had some really nice looking pullets of the same age. She's about 5-1/2 months old. We will keep her in an isolation cage for one week then intro her to the roost bar next Friday night. See pic below.

A question about my run: The girls have sufficiently destroyed every blade of grass that used to be there. Should I just leave the bare dirt, or place a layer of Pine shavings in there?

Texas Wine Guy

 

[aart]

This guy had some really nice looking pullets of the same age.

Oh, adding a single bird should be fun.
Hardest integration.
Go back and get another one?

Should I just leave the bare dirt, or place a layer of Pine shavings in there?

Yes.
Even better would be wood chippings.
How's the larger run coming?

 

[TexasWineGuy]

Oh, adding a single bird should be fun.
Hardest integration.
Go back and get another one? Well, we added another Ameraucana about 2 weeks ago with little issue. They are still fairly young so I think it will go reasonably well. This will bring the hen count to 4, which was our goal.

Yes.
Even better would be wood chippings. Why are wood chips better?
How's the larger run coming? Have the CAD drawing done for approximations, but I will not start the actual work until the beginning of October. It's just too hot right now. I will be gathering materials over the next month.

TWG