Idaho?

[Desert Springs]

Can cramped quarters cause some chickens to not lay eggs?

Cramped quarters can cause all sorts of problems... close quarters, that's okay, but cramped quarters, like any others creature, you will start having problems. Chickens are not happy when cramped, thus unhappy chickens lay less eggs. While 'growing' my hatchery, there were times my chicks were growing faster than the accommodations. I was building and enlarging like a crazy woman when I realized their cramped quarters were the reason some were growing and some were failing. The strong were shoving out the weaker chicks and juveniles, when it came to both feed and water. With my chickens, I keep their winter quarters a little more crowded than the summer quarters.

PLUS, if a chicken starts failing, the others will not hesitate to speed up their demise in a cramped coop, and they are not selective on what pen mates they will consume before you get to the victim. There is also a problem with illness that will arise in cramped quarters.

Quote: kem....This time of year, personally I've found egg production depends on if they are molting, light conditions, calcium/protein levels and feed/water supply. Chicken food intake greatly increases in the colder months to layer on some fat, plus their water intake, which helps maintain their body metabolism, thus again controlling their temperature. Having a light on in the coop stimulates egg production.

Mo5C... I've found roosters need a friend. I have a rebel Black Australorps who was raping EVERYTHING in site. His huge Black Australorp roo counterpart, named Toby, who is a total gentleman, got tired of correcting his youngster friend, soooooo........ Toby Two is now residing with the goat. He can fly out if he wants, but he has learned it beats being thrown up on top of the chicken runs at night for the horned owls to get him. After spending 3 nights on top of the runs he is now content to live with the goat until needed for breeding. Good luck with Cornflake.

 

[JenS9]

He is adorable.  There is a breeder here that has some nice stock.  He put on the Serama table top at the show so now you can go see them up close and personal

If there are any for sale, I might be in trouble!

 

[sacrifice]

Hi all,

Just moved to Caldwell, about 2.5 miles from Marsing actually, from Juneau, Alaska. My daughter and I are in the process of building a coop so we can once again have chickens. Looking at getting 6 - 12 chickens, and maybe a turkey or two. Other animals to follow

 

[Mo5C]

Quote:
Welcome to the madness. Good luck on your chicken endeavor.

 

[Mo5C]

Quote:
Only other animals out there are horses and 2 dogs(my fiance's dogs), maybe i just need to get some chickensaddles with wing covers (that is going to be alot of chickensaddles).

 

[LuvinBlueBirds]

Hi all,

Just moved to Caldwell, about 2.5 miles from Marsing actually, from Juneau, Alaska.  My daughter and I are in the process of building a coop so we can once again have chickens.  Looking at getting 6 - 12 chickens, and maybe a turkey or two. Other animals to follow

What kind of chickens are you looking for? I travel to Caldwell at least once a month, sometimes twice. I could bring you some if you like the ones I have.

 

[JenS9]

Does anyone want this boy? Free to a good home, as long as you promise not to eat him, and will come get him (will have to bring your own box/carrier, I don't have any)! LOL. He's 5mo old on the 15th. Located in Meridian. Need him gone ASAP, as I can't have roosters here.

 

[JenS9]

Someone is supposed to be coming at 1 tomorrow to come get him.

 

[Mamahumecky]

so so sad. I went to move chicks to the big coop today finally! One was dead in the brooder, it was fine last night but today no dice. Then went to make sure the babies went to the coop and one was just gone...no sign of it any where. My 3 yr old little boy's chick was a buff orpington x barred rock, was kinda pretty actually. He is so sad and I can't replace it =o( I put the others away with the big chickens and all is well so far. I will check them in the am to be sure they all get out.

 

[Chickenhill]

Someone is supposed to be coming at 1 tomorrow to come get him.

Sweet!

so so sad. I went to move chicks to the big coop today finally! One was dead in the brooder, it was fine last night but today no dice. Then went to make sure the babies went to the coop and one was just gone...no sign of it any where. My 3 yr old little boy's chick was a buff orpington x barred rock, was kinda pretty actually. He is so sad and I can't replace it =o( I put the others away with the big chickens and all is well so far. I will check them in the am to be sure they all get out.

Sorry to hear of you loss. Hope you find what is taking them! We have kestrels, big hawks, Magpies and Owls that circle often and they will come right into the coops and steal the younger stock. We now put them in a covered area or fully enclosed brooders until they are large enough not to be a meal.