How Many Eggs Did You Get Today?

[Ponypoor]

Thank you!

The hen house isn't that clean! It's just new - we converted a shed in September, and the floor is bedding 6" deep and about 30% full of dusty poops doing their thing, but it doesn't smell. The poop boards sand is cleaned every day but the roosts (I painted black enamel on purpose) and edges (which I didn't paint bc I didn't realize how much they'd LOVE the edges) are stained a bit. The edges of the nests are dirty from poopy feet and need a scrub!

AND THE DUST is unreal on every little surface.

I went up in the little alcoves in the ceiling part of the shed to cut some more ventilation yesterday and I left the clothes in the garage after I was done up there, absolutely COVERED in dust.

It's been almost 6 months so I need to do a full clean with taking out the bedding/replacing with new and giving the shed a blow out with the blower or something lol

It stays open to the elements every day, a big people-sized door, the hens use that for entry even though we made a side pop door as well (which is where they prefer to exit in the mornings) because we will be building a run soon (for vacation days!)

OH I found a pic of the inside better; but it still looks clean I dunno LOL

View attachment 4051257

I think it's dirty but I clean up their poops every day, stinky girls!! lololol

They love that little side table for laying too, but ONLY the lower nest, the top one is too exposed I think. But 5 nests is plenty for 17.

Oh 10 eggs yesterday, ate 1 scrambled egg in grits for dinner -- because we have a rooster now, it was fertilized, my first one I ever ate.

I don't even really like or eat eggs very much, I wanted chickens because I wanted chickens. I love seeing the beautiful colors of eggs, and I did NOT anticipate how like little dogs they are. The smarter ones know their names, they are super affectionate and curious and sweet. Seriously lovely in every way to be around.

Earning the trust of animals is just one of life's most rewarding things.

To be fair, it isn't a very difficult thing - look at all the people who manage it whether they deserve the animal's trust or not is another matter - but still it is a rewarding and lovely thing <3

Dust: I know right! I was looking at the ceiling of the barn this morning and cringed - the cobwebs on the 'demolishion' side of the barn where I rarely go is just full of drooping webs coated in dust. What is it about chickens that they create so much dust?!

In the Spring when I can open all the windows and doors I am going to get the leaf blower, cover up with a Tyvec coveralls and mask, goggles, etc, and just go-to-town with clearing all the dust from everything. Meanwhile I will get the manure rake and knock down the droopy webs that make the barn look all spooky in the dim light hahah!

This morning I was late going to the barn, but I already had three eggs from the ladies, someone laid a blue egg on the floor and I really do not know how I don't step on those eggs - one day it will be a big 'CRUNCH' ooops!

 

[Ponypoor]

Thank you!

The hen house isn't that clean! It's just new - we converted a shed in September, and the floor is bedding 6" deep and about 30% full of dusty poops doing their thing, but it doesn't smell. The poop boards sand is cleaned every day but the roosts (I painted black enamel on purpose) and edges (which I didn't paint bc I didn't realize how much they'd LOVE the edges) are stained a bit. The edges of the nests are dirty from poopy feet and need a scrub!

AND THE DUST is unreal on every little surface.

I went up in the little alcoves in the ceiling part of the shed to cut some more ventilation yesterday and I left the clothes in the garage after I was done up there, absolutely COVERED in dust.

It's been almost 6 months so I need to do a full clean with taking out the bedding/replacing with new and giving the shed a blow out with the blower or something lol

It stays open to the elements every day, a big people-sized door, the hens use that for entry even though we made a side pop door as well (which is where they prefer to exit in the mornings) because we will be building a run soon (for vacation days!)

OH I found a pic of the inside better; but it still looks clean I dunno LOL

View attachment 4051257

I think it's dirty but I clean up their poops every day, stinky girls!! lololol

They love that little side table for laying too, but ONLY the lower nest, the top one is too exposed I think. But 5 nests is plenty for 17.

Oh 10 eggs yesterday, ate 1 scrambled egg in grits for dinner -- because we have a rooster now, it was fertilized, my first one I ever ate.

I don't even really like or eat eggs very much, I wanted chickens because I wanted chickens. I love seeing the beautiful colors of eggs, and I did NOT anticipate how like little dogs they are. The smarter ones know their names, they are super affectionate and curious and sweet. Seriously lovely in every way to be around.

Earning the trust of animals is just one of life's most rewarding things.

To be fair, it isn't a very difficult thing - look at all the people who manage it whether they deserve the animal's trust or not is another matter - but still it is a rewarding and lovely thing <3

Roosters: You would not be able to tell the egg is any different from unfertilized eggs. And once they go in the fridge the fertility is gone (usually). Also you would not see anything in a developing egg until about day 3 of being incubated at 38C (~101F) if you were to crack it open.

Re: smart like a small dog - I always equated them to a 2 yr old child. They will eat, play, sleep, fight, sneak about, do more squabbling, sleep and do it all over again

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Earning the trust of animals is just one of life's most rewarding things.

Amen to that. You have a great setup and very happy hens.

 

[ChelleRatl88]

I got 10 today yesterday I got 3! I've been having a rooster lay in the hens favorite nestbox(they will line up or wedge in together the same nesting box) and causing a lot of commotion with the girls so yesterday it was a battle with keeping him out so the ladies could go in. Today I brought him up front to peck around so no stealing the boxes today.

Can anyone spot the weirdo? Lol he is back at it today I'm not sure why he's doing this, I guess he is enjoying the girls company idk overlook my coop it's been muddy and nasty outside for a week or so and we got around 3-4 inches of rain yesterday it's been a nightmare trying to keep it clean with all the weather.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

@thistlewick what a lovely set up! But you are obviously short about 20 chickens, it is not crowded enough or poopy enough! What pretty birds, too, what are they?

 

[Jenbirdee]

Four duck , one chicken

 

[Jenbirdee]

1 today, from Brelly

View attachment 4041169

A bit* of a lump on the top, but still lovely!

*edit for typo, swipe type is a pain!

Ooooooo pretty, copper egg !

 

[5Australorpasaures]

7 from the past 2 days from our 4 birds. Day's not over so maybe 1 more later.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Should see the dust after 12 years!
Okay only 4 in the current coop.
Dust is so deep builds dust caked on everything.
3 yesterday.

 

[Sarrossea]

First egg is pretty special. How many hens do you have?

4