Maine

[lazy gardener]

I've clipped all of my girls wings. (one side only) At least one of them seems a little unbalanced when hopping up to a 2 x 4 that's 6" off the ground. How long should it take them to regain their equilibrium? I'm guessing that they'll all be using the ramp instead of flying up 40" to their loft. I hated to do it, but couldn't have them flying the electric fence all the time. These girls are so much fun to have around. Even Hubby is expressing an interest in them. 100% prod. 3 days in a row!

 

[dowgirl71]

Widget: So sorry for the loss of your beautiful dog. Also, you have my sympathy re: your horse's allergies. That has to be frustrating, not to mention the expense.




Dow Girl: Congrats on your EE eggs. I can't see from the picture... what color are they? Did you say they were from the same girl, or 2 different ones. How many EE did you get? I'm really enjoying my 3 EE, and find that their productivity is much higher than I expected... at least at this point in their laying cycle. This week, the girls averaged 89% with a couple of dbl. yolkers thrown in for good measure.

Thanks! They are just from my one EE and are a light green color. She's actually 3 for 3 for the past few days-got another one, today. I really like her, too! She has such a sweet personality and I just love her soft brown eyes. Now, I wish I'd gotten more. Well, actually I thought I had chosen two, but one turned out to be a Dark Brahma roo. He was a neat bird, though. If I could have roosters here, I'd have kept him. I've read where several people have gotten double yolks from their EEs but I'm just not ready to eat these, yet. Definitely will let you know, when I do.

 

[lazy gardener]

Thanks! They are just from my one EE and are a light green color. She's actually 3 for 3 for the past few days-got another one, today. I really like her, too! She has such a sweet personality and I just love her soft brown eyes. Now, I wish I'd gotten more. Well, actually I thought I had chosen two, but one turned out to be a Dark Brahma roo. He was a neat bird, though. If I could have roosters here, I'd have kept him. I've read where several people have gotten double yolks from their EEs but I'm just not ready to eat these, yet. Definitely will let you know, when I do.

So, if you don't eat them, what are you gonna do with them?? I had to clip all of my girls wings during the past few days.

Hated to do it, but I can't have them on the outside of the fence unless it's my idea!!!

 

[pellepeterson]

How do I train my chicken to lay in the nest box? I have been elated with the abundance of FRESH eggs and have been thinking that maybe a few of my girls are just a little slow...well this morning I watched one of the girls sneak around a piece of plywood that was leaned against the house...well...I saw the goldmine! There are about a dozen eggs in a small hole in the dirt...

Do I move them into the nest box? Do I have to ID the girl that is doing it and somehow move her? I do not in any way want to stress her out...I know it is one of my BSL's, they are very nice sized brown eggs...

Any help is appreciated!

Bob and Jules!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

A couple thoughts of mine:
1. Can you keep them locked in the coop until mid-day so they have to use the nest boxes?
2. Do you have fake eggs or golf balls in the nesting boxes? They want to lay where it's "safe" and what's safer than a bunch of eggs already there?
3. Can you make the nests more inviting? Mine seem to prefer hay on top of a layer of shavings, and some prefer a curtain, while others do not.

 

[pellepeterson]

Superchemical Girl, I think I have them set nicely...There are 6 boxes, they only seem to use three...I have tried the golfball trick and that got me started, seemingly with just the leghorns. I have one BSL (I think) who is utilizing the nest boxes. I just went and removed the eggs from the "secret nest" and counted them...17! Some are VERY large...I may have to lock them in the pen for a few days, they do so like free ranging and they are much happier as far as I can see. One of my BSL's is a beautiful orange, my daughter named her "crow"...I cannot see the connection, regardless, she is the friendliest of all of them, she follows me around and constantly coo's at me.

After my discovery, I went out to the coop, cleaned all the poop from the nest boxes, found 5 nice white eggs under one of the leghorns, I took those eggs and distributed them to the other boxes...much to her dismay. I did notice that after doing that, another leghorn quickly moved into a "new" box and became quite broody, yelling at me...I apologized and closed the door only after adding fresh straw to the empty boxes.

All 6 are the same size, on the same side of the coop, and all are at least 18 inches from the floor...I added roosting bars...they get the red carpet treatment for sure...We love our girls, but at the same time, we LOVE what they produce! I'll try locking them up for a few days...the BSL's cannot fly over the fence like the leghorns do, so maybe that will solve the problem.

Thank you for your quick reply!

Bob

 

[buckabucka]

I agree that it may be necessary to keep them in the coop for a while. Once they establish the habit of laying in the boxes, they will return home from free-ranging just to lay their egg, and then head back out again. My chickens do fight over certain nest boxes, but they will use a less-favored box if I put a fake egg in it.

Yesterday, I cleaned the coop. It is a once-a-year big project and I am so glad to have it behind me. Of course a broody had to step on a thin-shelled egg in the nice clean box, making a mess.

 

[lazy gardener]

Bob, one more suggestion to add to the info already posted. In addition to locking the girls in for a few days to get them using the nest boxes, you might want to make the hidden nest under the plywood inaccessible. Perhaps move the plywood, do what ever it takes to "remove the temptation" to return to that spot. Glad your girls are now providing you with some nice eggs. I love the little gold mine I find every day in my boxes.

 

[Widget]

My crazy Golden Comet pullet was even more bold today when I was mowing the lawn. She kept getting in front of the mower while it was running. Surprised she just didnt jump on the top of it and go for a ride. Annoying but cute at the same time. I know she was just there waiting for the bugs I stirred up so I guess she was a bit smart too.

Saw a huge white Silkie rooster this morning. I was at the feed store and while waiting for the grain to be loaded in the truck I looked at the pen of miscellaneous birds that had been dropped off by people who no longer wanted them. In the pen was a Silkie roo who was either on steroids or mixed with something. He was about twice the size of a normal Silkie. Still had the Silkie type feathering, feathered feet and blue ear lobes. All in all not a bad looking bird but not one that I wanted to bring home since I had no idea where he came from or where his pen mates came from.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

My crazy Golden Comet pullet was even more bold today when I was mowing the lawn. She kept getting in front of the mower while it was running. Surprised she just didnt jump on the top of it and go for a ride. Annoying but cute at the same time. I know she was just there waiting for the bugs I stirred up so I guess she was a bit smart too.

Saw a huge white Silkie rooster this morning. I was at the feed store and while waiting for the grain to be loaded in the truck I looked at the pen of miscellaneous birds that had been dropped off by people who no longer wanted them. In the pen was a Silkie roo who was either on steroids or mixed with something. He was about twice the size of a normal Silkie. Still had the Silkie type feathering, feathered feet and blue ear lobes. All in all not a bad looking bird but not one that I wanted to bring home since I had no idea where he came from or where his pen mates came from.

I usually don't let mine out and then mow the lawn, but they do wait for me to do a drive-by of the coop and spew grass clippings into the run. They are very brave. Fearless. Or stupid. Or a combo of all of the above.