Maine

[lazy gardener]

Yeah... I suppose too! Just one day closer to the crock pot! I jest, for now they are pets... but the day is coming!

 

[MEMama3]

Lol I forgot about birthdays. Two of my girls became hens on Jan 29th and I have the original three who will have their birthday on March 19th. Other than that I have old lady birds and teeny babies.

 

[Jazor]

Update on the egg-eaters:

I've been putting eggs (that I've marked) in the nest boxes, and replacing them as they eat them. I think the overload factor is already working, I retrieved five fresh eggs yesterday evening. They seemed to eat a small amount of the store eggs I stashed in the boxes, and left the fresh ones alone, which is great. I found one small egg on the floor of the coop this morning, so there is still someone who hasn't quite figured out what the nesting boxes are for--but they haven't even been there a week--I'll allow it.

Going well so far, it seems! Thanks for the ideas

 

[CoopChick719]

What a beautiful day! I wish I could get out to enjoy it but slipped on some ice Tuesday night. I landed on top of the waterer I was carrying to the coop and either cracked or bruised my ribs. I fell again on my way back from the coop! The thing that bugs me the most was I was not rushing or not paying attention, I was doing the Little Old Lady shuffle! Please be careful out there especially with the freezing rain we are supposed to get tomorrow!!

On a different note, I read a great a great article on the Fresh Eggs Daily blog about adding to your existing flock. Very timely with all chick orders being placed!

http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2012/04/adding-to-established-flock-pullet.html

 

[lazy gardener]

Nice blog. It's 42.6 here, and the girls have been enticed outside with a sprinkling of leaves and millet. Oh what a teaser this day is. I so don't want to do anything outside, still not much to do outside yet. Still looking for Wyandotte eggs. At this point, I'd take any kind other than Columbian or White. PM me if you have some I could buy.

 

[buckabucka]

Update on the egg-eaters:

I've been putting eggs (that I've marked) in the nest boxes, and replacing them as they eat them.  I think the overload factor is already working, I retrieved five fresh eggs yesterday evening.  They seemed to eat a small amount of the store eggs I stashed in the boxes, and left the fresh ones alone, which is great.  I found one small egg on the floor of the coop this morning, so there is still someone who hasn't quite figured out what the nesting boxes are for--but they haven't even been there a week--I'll allow it.

Going well so far, it seems! Thanks for the ideas

I'm so glad to hear this is working for you. It was something I had read, but never tried. I imagine it makes a mess of things for a while, but it will be worth it to break the habit!

 

[lazy gardener]

I hope it ends up being a long term fix. An other thought that just popped into my head is to put curtains up in front of the nest boxes. Perhaps a nice pink gingham with ruffles!! Seriously, perhaps out of sight = out of mind.

 

[Jazor]

I'm so glad to hear this is working for you. It was something I had read, but never tried. I imagine it makes a mess of things for a while, but it will be worth it to break the habit!

Very true on the "makes a mes of things" part! But, it seems to be helping so far--and that's the goal.

 

[Cknldy]

I don't know if curtains work to keep them from eating the eggs but it certainly works to keep them from roosting on the side of the nest box instead of on the 2x4 roosts! When the coldest weather came the pullets would wait on me to clean out the nest box before laying because some genious cockerel decided he'd rather "perch" on the 1" side of the nest box than pick an always available spot on the roosts. 8 feet of two level 2x4s for 4 chickens and he doesn't like it?! Well, guess he didn't like the curtain moving on him every time he tried to balance either. It worked! It sounds like what you're doing is working pretty good

 

[MEMama3]

It have good news and bad from my homestead today. The bad news: My hoop run collapsed and my mama hen decided she didn't want the new nest anymore, she wanted her old one that the broody is now in. The good news: I wasn't in the hoop (but I was just moments before) and neither were the birds and the broody was moved and settled with no bloodshed. Mama hen is getting over being evicted and she and her chick have found a nice corner to sleep in.