We are new to raising chickens and I noticed something interesting - wanted to see if anyone else had this issue. We are in NJ and have had snow on the ground for the past few weeks. Our six chickens (4 Austrolorps, 1 RR, and 1 P. Rock) usually spend the day outside in their run or just roaming the back yard. We got them a day old last June and they started laying in early November. Laying had been fairly consistent with about 3 a day since mid December. They have been confined to their coop since we've had snow and for the past two or three weeks we have been getting 5 or 6 a day. I just looked at the calendar and we have gotten 32 eggs in the past 7 days. My question is, is this a matter of them just ramping up normal laying or is it a function of being in the coop and eating nothing but ration? Without foraging outside they are going through 2 to 4 pounds more food a week (16% layer ration). We still give them some treats like oatmeal and cottage cheese a couple of times a week and a little scratch here and there but for the most part it's mostly just ration.
Also, I noticed tonight that the less dominant Plymouth Rock has a few back feathers missing. I assume the others are doing it to her. Boredom? They have a fair amount of space - floor area of 6'x7'. Would another perch on a different wall, maybe a little higher than the other perch mix it up for them a little? Any other suggestions to keep them entertained in there so they don't pick on the one (Juliet is the one missing a few feathers).
Thanks in advance for the answers!
Also, I noticed tonight that the less dominant Plymouth Rock has a few back feathers missing. I assume the others are doing it to her. Boredom? They have a fair amount of space - floor area of 6'x7'. Would another perch on a different wall, maybe a little higher than the other perch mix it up for them a little? Any other suggestions to keep them entertained in there so they don't pick on the one (Juliet is the one missing a few feathers).
Thanks in advance for the answers!
