Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[RaZ]

the bumps i was told are from to much calcium.

Different source of information, I guess.
That's the trouble with backyard flocks. The real science just isn't there. Tons of research and data on hatchery operations but almost none on small flocks. What we are left with is anecdotal reports. Still, we muddle through and try to share our experiences with other keepers.
I say good luck and keep sharing what works (or doesn't) for you.

 

[1muttsfan]

As hens get older they lay gradually larger eggs, but with the same amount of shell, so the shells get thinner and thinner with age. This means they can deform more easily as they pass through production. Isa's are especially prone to thin-shelled, deformed eggs as they age, as they lay big eggs to start with, and lay lots of them so the process goes faster.
Infections or problems with the egg producing mechanism can also cause egg shell issues, as well as dietary deficiencies. Even on layer feed some chickens that are high producers need extra calcium provided in addition to the feed.

 

[Folly's place]

As usual! Mary

 

[chickflick]

wcbpolish, you should start handling the kittens so they won't be so wild. Get them use to humans.

 

[Adevary]

Oh my gosh! There are four bantams that are almost fully feathered at our Family Farm and Home. They are in with all the tiny chicks, and were not very happy. I was so close to bringing them home today! I have five big hens, and no place to put them, though.

I'm just curious, when is a chicken considered old? Mine will be one in May/June. I'm wondering if I should be considering chicks this summer after we do coop upgrades.

 

[rachelsflock]

I consider hens old at 3 or 4 depending on the breed...but then again I've got hens that are perpetually 2 and are really turning five this year because my chicken math applies to ages and not just chicks apparently, so my logic may be flawed. I think your birds are still young yet. They just may need to molt soon then they'll get on with laying and life.

Some hybrids would be old at 2 or 3 I've heard, but I haven't done hybrids yet.

 

[gladahmae]

I have a couple of going-on-4 year old mutts that just started laying almost daily again this month (after taking all fall and winter off.) I would say that in general, production starts to noticably decline after they have layed for 2 years, and if you keep them past 3 years it's because they're pets to you or you have objections to having them turn into someone's dinner.

 

[gladahmae]

Oh my gosh! There are four bantams that are almost fully feathered at our Family Farm and Home. They are in with all the tiny chicks, and were not very happy. I was so close to bringing them home today!

I am lacking in any and all willpower with chicks this year. Over the weekend our TSC had FIVE BINS crammed full of $1 chicks (mainly white leghorn pullets) and a bin of what looked like 3 week old rouen ducklings for $1.50. They were enormous. And for about a minute I seriously considered buying a bunch of them. But I know that duck eggs make me sick, AND my "duck coop" is still frozen to the ground AND it needs cleaned. So I did NOT buy any ducklings (even though I wanted to.) When I adjusted my Meyer order yesterday I had to drop my light brown leghorns because they were unavailable for that date. When DH called me to say he was on his way home from work, do I need anything from town, I immediately replied that he could stop and get some of the clearance leghorn chicks. And so he did. They look to be 3-4 weeks old, so they went directly out with the other chicks. That makes 37 chicks outside and 24 chicks inside. And 17 chicks coming in a month.

 

[RaZ]

Trip to TSC for a part for my log splitter. Just looked at the chicks and walked away. Willpower to spare.
After Monday I will be done travelling so chicks are a possibility. I still only want pheasant and peafowl, so the willpower should remain strong. Unless I find some lavender orps.

 

[Adevary]

Yeah. These have quickly become my nine year old's pets. They aren't going in the pot. I average 4 eggs a day, and for us that is plenty! I give away a dozen eggs a week or so. Now if I could start selling them, I would do more.