Ok, so we check the nesting boxes several times throughout the day. This morning at 5 am there were none, then at 9 am there were 3.. normal. By noon we had a total of 10.... We double check each night at 11 just in case there are extras. Well, at 11 pm tonight... 5 more!!!!!! So.. how can that be? Are they just that darn good? I didn't think it possible!! Is that unhealthy for them?? On top of that, one lays double yolkers daily!!! How are we getting more eggs than hens? I'm pretty sure the Rooster isn't laying! LOL! I am wondering if all my coddling of them is making them uber-producers! If so... I can do an "in your face" to my family that laughs at me for my chicken-love.
So, just for background sake: They have been inspected by our local Dept of Agricultre.. (for farmers market reasons) and they did comment how beautiful and well fed they are. The 2 Ag. Agents said they were the best kept and healthiest birds they had seen in this area.
I must admit, the meals they eat and well planned and thought out. Special treats of whole grain oats on Sundays, Cottage cheese or Yogurt on Mondays... silly things like that. Of course the chicken feed too and some oyster shell. We even have ground venison for some protien that they have 2 times per month. This month they have shared a fresh pomegranite daily. (my son thinks that cool... lots of antioxidants! LOL!!) We grew pumpkins just for them and cooked them down and froze to have pumpkin through the winter, same with apples. Fresh fruit is on the menu daily (we get it free from the local middle school cafeteria at the end of the day)
They live in a virtual chicken palace.. and have fresh straw every week inside it. They are spoiled beyond spoiled.. loved and cuddled. The neighbors even all spoil them with fresh fruits and veggies. (seriously.. they eat better than most humans!) They graze on not only our 3 acres.. but another 6 acres of the neighboring property. When asked if the chickens bother them, my neighbors say "Heavens no! We love them!!!" We often find our babies grazing up to 5 houses away... with happy neighbors (who have fresh eggs in thier fridges for the kindness and grazing rights LOL)
So.. can it be all that good living? I'm sure if I hadn't a care in the world.. I may spit eggs out all day too! hehe!
Oh - and.. there are no other chickens for 3 miles here, so I don't think we have any volunteers..
So, just for background sake: They have been inspected by our local Dept of Agricultre.. (for farmers market reasons) and they did comment how beautiful and well fed they are. The 2 Ag. Agents said they were the best kept and healthiest birds they had seen in this area.
I must admit, the meals they eat and well planned and thought out. Special treats of whole grain oats on Sundays, Cottage cheese or Yogurt on Mondays... silly things like that. Of course the chicken feed too and some oyster shell. We even have ground venison for some protien that they have 2 times per month. This month they have shared a fresh pomegranite daily. (my son thinks that cool... lots of antioxidants! LOL!!) We grew pumpkins just for them and cooked them down and froze to have pumpkin through the winter, same with apples. Fresh fruit is on the menu daily (we get it free from the local middle school cafeteria at the end of the day)
They live in a virtual chicken palace.. and have fresh straw every week inside it. They are spoiled beyond spoiled.. loved and cuddled. The neighbors even all spoil them with fresh fruits and veggies. (seriously.. they eat better than most humans!) They graze on not only our 3 acres.. but another 6 acres of the neighboring property. When asked if the chickens bother them, my neighbors say "Heavens no! We love them!!!" We often find our babies grazing up to 5 houses away... with happy neighbors (who have fresh eggs in thier fridges for the kindness and grazing rights LOL)
So.. can it be all that good living? I'm sure if I hadn't a care in the world.. I may spit eggs out all day too! hehe!
Oh - and.. there are no other chickens for 3 miles here, so I don't think we have any volunteers..
)
