I was thinking, I would like your thoughts on this.

[Churkenduse]

I am a woman and we tend to be emotional about things, and no comments guys you could take a lesson or two,

Anyway, I have 5 chickens, 2 are hens, and 3 are pullets.
I have not gotten a single egg from the hens and I got them a few months ago. The 2 RIR's pullets, that are supposed to be winter hardy, I got zip. Now my little skinny black mixed Polish is the youngest and tiny. I call her tina. She has white ears and just laid a brown egg, I saw it happen, wow.

Now my thought is: every day when I go out to say good morning I talk more to Tina since she comes to me. I can pet her she stands still for that. I pick her up and she seems to enjoy my touch.

Since she is the only one laying what would you think if I ask could this be because of all the love I give her? Could I be making her calm and thereby soothing her into laying eggs.

This is interesting. Please jump in and give your thoughts I would love to hear them. And no I am not crazy

There have been many studies on "soothing the savage beast" so to speak. Could this be true? Should we all go out and pet our pets? :aww


Rosemarie

 

[Buster]

I don't talk to my chickens and they all seem to be laying, albeit a little slow. I have lights on timers in my coop so they get about 14 hours of light and it seems to do the trick. Good luck with your chickens- I imagine they like the talking too.

 

[jeaucamom]

Our experience has been that they are wild before they are ready to lay and then as the time draws near, they get friendlier and downright sweet after they are laying. I think Tina is just at a different stage developmentally. Your other girls will lay and they will gather around for the love and chats when they do.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Miss Tina wants to lay you an egg because she appreciates the attention you give her.

I believe pets appreciate the attention. Dogs and cats do, so why not Chickens?

 

[paganfish]

From a dude...

I think that petting/socializing with them definitely makes them tamer and more loving but I don't know that the egg laying vs no egg laying (or de-laying, NO pun intended

) theory would hold water. I am emotional bleeding heart Pisces so, perhaps I am not the one to ask anyway. It is an interesting theory though...

Hey, we should have a "Hug your chickens day!"

Seriously though, I am sure Tina laid the egg because she appreciates you. Thanks for lightening my day. I've been so stressed. LOL!

Peace-

Pedro

PS No, I don't think you're crazy either! Just a little nuts BUT, then again...so AM I!

 

[fivebigreds]

I think their diet affects their laying in winter. I have averaged 7 eggs a day from 9 hens but, a calm enviroment will help.

 

[Churkenduse]

Wow what nice thoughts!

I can almost feel love coming from her. But not the others.

This is great I hope more of you give your input.

I like that idea:


HOW ABOUT A HUG YOUR CHICKEN DAY! Any suggestions?

 

[chickbea]

I'm a life-long animal lover and I firmly believe that the happier and more comfortable an animal is the better it will perform its duties. I would certainly suggest you start chatting with your other girls as well, maybe even pick them up individually and give them a special treat.

Having said that, I don't think that is the reason the others aren't laying. Now that the daylight hours are increasing I'm sure you'll start seeing some action in those nest boxes.

Oh - I'm assuming you are feeding layer ration and calcium -

Some hens are just friendlier than others, and that's the way it will be.

 

[dbjay417]

Winters not a factor where i an, but I doubt talking to your chickens helps them lay. I talk to mine all the time, and still I have days where i only get three eggs from 10 girls. usually the next day I'll get 7 though. I've yet to get more than 7 on any given day. Since they free range I dont know exactly whos laying and when. it also doesn't help that 5 of the birds are the same color and about the same size.

I know for sure that my two largest and two smallest are laying. As is the medium sized black hen i call One Feather. That covers the distinguishable 5. The other 5 are not even named cause i really cant tell them apart, except for the one who has been sneezing consistantly for almost a month.

 

[Churkenduse]

I am feeding them layer and calcium. I will try holding the others, thanks.


I too have two pullets that I have a hard time nameing cause they sook so darn alike. I cannot find one thing to set them apart, but I'm still looking.

This is really nice. Thanks