Maine

[ejcimd]

Beautiful pictures!

 

[MustardTiger]

ahh so busy these days! Hey does anyone have any advice on what lighting situation is best to keep these girls laying (I should say girl as now I think I just have one laying, Mainechick....the rest of mine from Empire STILL aren't laying ack!) Is it best to add the extra light in morning and night or just in the morning hours? I have read opinions for both so I am unsure.

 

[Mainechick168]

MustardTiger, I have no advice on lighting, sorry! One more of mine from EA laid her first egg yesterday- so that makes 3 from EA laying now. Only 5 out of ten are laying. I'm curious to see the response to your question too- I'd like to keep mine laying as much as possible through the winter!

 

[buckabucka]

ahh so busy these days! Hey does anyone have any advice on what lighting situation is best to keep these girls laying (I should say girl as now I think I just have one laying, Mainechick....the rest of mine from Empire STILL aren't laying ack!) Is it best to add the extra light in morning and night or just in the morning hours? I have read opinions for both so I am unsure.

I don't light mine, but if I did, I would have the light added in the morning. That way, in the evening, they naturally find their way back to the roost as it gets dark, as opposed to sudden darkness which could catch them off the roost.

I give mine a break in the winter, in hopes that it will keep them laying longer in years (although at a slower rate). At some point, I think I will need to get rid of some of the older girls, but so far I haven't had the heart. Anyone running a retirement home?

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I don't light mine, but if I did, I would have the light added in the morning. That way, in the evening, they naturally find their way back to the roost as it gets dark, as opposed to sudden darkness which could catch them off the roost.
I give mine a break in the winter, in hopes that it will keep them laying longer in years (although at a slower rate). At some point, I think I will need to get rid of some of the older girls, but so far I haven't had the heart. Anyone running a retirement home?

Agree completely with the lighting part, and I plan to run a retirement home when the time is right. The way I see it, they worked hard (most of them, some were complete slackers). The roosters? Yeah, they don't work for their keep. It's goodbye for them.

 

[longgrove]

Sad news, my young CLB roo is ill, showing ataxia for the last couple of days. After the death of Betty the EE, I fear it is Mareks. I understand that chicks are most susceptable. I have him in the rabbit hutch in the ell of my bedroom where it is warm. i am so sad, he is such a sweet fellow, the most personable of the flock. When I let them out in the AM, he stays in and greets, (looking for treats, of course). If I was to get a new adult roo or older cockeral, would he get sick too? All of the girls appear healthy. I'm recalling that recently, lots of folks were down sizing on roos and hated to send some really nice roos to "freezer camp". Any suggestions? I have a mixed flock of 8 hens/older pullets, all very mellow and friendly. They are shut in ( 8 x14 foot coop on sun porch) at night and have an exercise pen in the day, Even if Reggie gets better, there is room for a second, non aggressive, roo.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Get replacements that were vaccinated as chicks or raised with turkeys.

Sorry about your losses.

 

[PollyC]

I light my coop, but split the hours between am & pm. They get 2 ours on each end, this works best for me and seems to work good for my girls. They all seem to have no problem going into the coop before the light even comes on.

 

[hoppy]

I also light my coop but only in the am, about 2 hours prior to sunrise.
sorry longgrove, i hope he recovers

 

[Clover Run]

I have 2 White Crested Polish that need a new home - both pullets around 8-10 months old. I need the room and have decided to go in a different chicken direction. Focusing on raising laying pullets, Cochins - both Bantam and LF and my silkies of course. No rehome fee - just want them to go to a good home.