Maine

[superchemicalgirl]

I asked hubby what he thought about us having a bee hive... he looked at me and without skipping a beat, asked what I thought about a shot gun. I'm having a hard time figuring out what a shot gun could possibly have to do with a bee hive... For now, I have a friend who's trading honey for eggs.

I think that's an excellent trade off. You will need a shotgun anyway, to protect your flock from critters that come calling for dinner, and then you get to have bees, too!

 

[hoppy]

I asked hubby what he thought about us having a bee hive... he looked at me and without skipping a beat, asked what I thought about a shot gun. I'm having a hard time figuring out what a shot gun could possibly have to do with a bee hive... For now, I have a friend who's trading honey for eggs.

 

[Chambertin]

Hi All,

We are in North Yarmouth and have a flock of 8 that are mixed breeds and mixed ages.  Our oldest 3 (buff orpington, lacy wyandotte, black sex link) were hatched in early May and we have not seen an egg yet.  

What are the chances we will get eggs this year?  My gut tells me if we haven't seen anything yet, we're probably not going to until the spring.  They free range most days.  When they aren't free ranging, the have a 10'x10' run.

I was on here looking for advice on how to button up the coop a bit for the winter.  The thread provided a lot of great ideas.  

I wish I knew more about how those breeds acted in the winter.
Some breeds will slow down but still put out consistent eggs even in the northern winters. Others like you think, will shut down at the first frost. My guess is you still have some chances for them to work out a couple egg farts through to when the real winter starts but you will probably have to give them a little light to help spur on the motivation.
14 hours of light is what I always heard to keep the egg-spiration up and going.

Most of all: Welcome to BYC
There are some great people in this thread and I know I always come back here when I have a question, good luck~

 

[hoppy]

Hi All,

We are in North Yarmouth and have a flock of 8 that are mixed breeds and mixed ages. Our oldest 3 (buff orpington, lacy wyandotte, black sex link) were hatched in early May and we have not seen an egg yet.

What are the chances we will get eggs this year? My gut tells me if we haven't seen anything yet, we're probably not going to until the spring. They free range most days. When they aren't free ranging, the have a 10'x10' run.

I was on here looking for advice on how to button up the coop a bit for the winter. The thread provided a lot of great ideas.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

You'll probably get eggs this winter without light from most of the birds. My early May birds are just starting to lay, now. If they are free ranging are you sure they are not laying outside the coop/nest boxes?

The second winter most of your birds will probably stop laying after their molt and not start again until spring.

 

[lazy gardener]

Hi All,

We are in North Yarmouth and have a flock of 8 that are mixed breeds and mixed ages. Our oldest 3 (buff orpington, lacy wyandotte, black sex link) were hatched in early May and we have not seen an egg yet.

What are the chances we will get eggs this year? My gut tells me if we haven't seen anything yet, we're probably not going to until the spring. They free range most days. When they aren't free ranging, the have a 10'x10' run.

I was on here looking for advice on how to button up the coop a bit for the winter. The thread provided a lot of great ideas.

SCG and Hoppy: Way funny! I showed your responses to hubby, and he was also amused. However, if I need to deal with varmints, I plan to use something that packs more of a wallop than a shot gun!!! And as I don't anticipate seeing him going rabbit or bird hunting anytime soon... I still don't see what good a shot gun is!! Now perhaps some one on here can convince me otherwise! If so, hubby will thank you!!

I think that's an excellent trade off. You will need a shotgun anyway, to protect your flock from critters that come calling for dinner, and then you get to have bees, too!

So, SCG: I'm one of those annoying students who sits in the front of the classroom waving her hand in the air, asking the "What if" or the "But why" ?'s. I know that every breed is different, as every hen within that breed, and also weather and housing and nutrition all come into play, SO, hypothetically, comparing a pullet who starts laying in July with a pullet who starts laying in late Sept or Oct with the pullet who doesn't start laying until late winter... what's the lay cycle going to look like through the first lay season?

You'll probably get eggs this winter without light from most of the birds. My early May birds are just starting to lay, now. If they are free ranging are you sure they are not laying outside the coop/nest boxes?

The second winter most of your birds will probably stop laying after their molt and not start again until spring.

 

[Widget]

SCG and Hoppy: Way funny! I showed your responses to hubby, and he was also amused. However, if I need to deal with varmints, I plan to use something that packs more of a wallop than a shot gun!!! And as I don't anticipate seeing him going rabbit or bird hunting anytime soon... I still don't see what good a shot gun is!! Now perhaps some one on here can convince me otherwise! If so, hubby will thank you!!

 

[Jazor]

Hi All,

We are in North Yarmouth and have a flock of 8 that are mixed breeds and mixed ages. Our oldest 3 (buff orpington, lacy wyandotte, black sex link) were hatched in early May and we have not seen an egg yet.

What are the chances we will get eggs this year? My gut tells me if we haven't seen anything yet, we're probably not going to until the spring. They free range most days. When they aren't free ranging, the have a 10'x10' run.

I was on here looking for advice on how to button up the coop a bit for the winter. The thread provided a lot of great ideas.

I'm just up Rt 9 from you

From what seems to be the general consensus, each breed as it's own "egg schedule" but 20+ weeks is about when you can expect to start seeing eggs. I wouldn't hold out much hope before that, but I've seen people claim to have eggs in the boxes after 16-17 weeks.

Cheers,
Jazor

 

[Jazor]

I agree. Shotguns are great for home defense, and they also speak a universal language. The "rack" noise of loading a pump shotgun is often times enough to deter nearly anything/anyone. Being that we live in area where FFL transfers are not 100% required (ie. private sale of weapons is allowed) you could pick up a mossberg 500 or remington 870 for $250 if you keep an eye on the Uncle Henry's. Maybe craigslist as well.

If you're simply looking for defense and don't intend to hunt, HR Pardner sells their entry level 12ga. pump action guns for $200 brand new off the floor of your favorite gun shop or outdoor shop. Just some food for thought. No need to be a brand fan when it comes to function. If it works, it works. Right?

If you're looking for something that'll give you a little more bang, a .270 is a fine option for a medium game (or even deer, really) that may need to be removed from your land. Again, food for thought...I'd be happy to chat more via PM if anyone's looking for the advice of an audacious gasbag with more gun knowledge than necessary.

 

[Widget]

I agree. Shotguns are great for home defense, and they also speak a universal language. The "rack" noise of loading a pump shotgun is often times enough to deter nearly anything/anyone. Being that we live in area where FFL transfers are not 100% required (ie. private sale of weapons is allowed) you could pick up a mossberg 500 or remington 870 for $250 if you keep an eye on the Uncle Henry's. Maybe craigslist as well.

If you're simply looking for defense and don't intend to hunt, HR Pardner sells their entry level 12ga. pump action guns for $200 brand new off the floor of your favorite gun shop or outdoor shop. Just some food for thought. No need to be a brand fan when it comes to function. If it works, it works. Right?

If you're looking for something that'll give you a little more bang, a .270 is a fine option for a medium game (or even deer, really) that may need to be removed from your land. Again, food for thought...I'd be happy to chat more via PM if anyone's looking for the advice of an audacious gasbag with more gun knowledge than necessary.

Thanks for the info.

I have been looking into getting a shotgun for the home and the HR sounds like a steal. My only issue is that I have no experience with shotguns and have yet to find anyone who can show me how to safely use one. I am not near any ranges and from what I have read online not all of them allow shotguns. And even though there are plenty of handgun courses (did one to get my concealed permit a few years ago) there does not seem to be any other courses available.