Michigan

[RIRJen]

Quote:
You should probably come to Chickenstock and find out for yourself.

I was planning on coming last year, but ended up taking a run to Greenville, SC to pick up my newest Chinese Crested. I'll be there this year!!!

Oh man...Chinese Cresteds....

Ok...you're bringing them to chickenstock right?

I LOVE that breed...want to swap for a 170lb St. Bernard?!!?!

 

[CricketYang]

Has anyone noticed a slow down in egg production? Before we left for the middle east we were getting around 8-10/day and since we've been back only like 4-5/day :-/.

The days are getting longer so I don't believe thats it.
I have started feeding them at night to try and improve their eggshell quality
Added oyster shell in a separate dish.
They've started free-ranging again bc she snow has gone.
No one new in the flock.

I HAVE however been getting out there in the morning with DH to take care of them, maybe they're just surprised to see me

 

[Olive Hill]

Longer days should mean more eggs, not less. If this happened when they started free-ranging I'd be looking for a stealth nest somewhere on the property.

 

[RIRJen]

Quote:
Was someone who doesn't normally gather your eggs gathering them while you were gone? I've noticed that if there's a change in the person gathering my eggs my hens cut back a bit on egg production for a little while. It takes a little time but they should be back in full force soon.

I went away for a weekend in September a couple years ago (had a different flock then) and my hens completely stopped laying when I left...and I was getting 5 eggs a day from my small flock. They didn't pick back up for a couple weeks. I think they were mad at me

(my husband was taking care of them while I was gone, and he normally doesn't do much with the chickens)

 

[CricketYang]

Quote:
I was thinking about a secret nesting box but don't think thats the issue. The decrease happened BEFORE they started free ranging again. I thought it was bc we had a friend taking care of them and perhaps they were too shy or something around him and thats what clenched them up, but we've been home for 3-4 days now and the decrease is still happening! ugh.. Just as I was getting more egg customers and selling them all, those ladies decide NOT to lay as much as before... Blah

 

[Mish]

Does anyone near Macomb know how to sex ducklings?

My dilemma: a family in my daughter's 4-H group lives in a city that only allows 2 ducks. They want to get runner ducklings, and really prefer females. All the hatcheries that sex ducklings seem to have not very upright runners. OR does anyone know a hatchery that sexes ducklings with runners that look like runners? Or a local breeder who will do sexing?

 

[Olive Hill]

Not sure what Holderread's policy is on selling sexed ducklings, but give it a look and see.

Otherwise you can vent sex them.

 

[Mish]

Quote:
My Welsh Harlequins are from Holderread and they sell straight run ducklings only. Easy with the Harlequins- girls have pink beaks. Unfortunately not easy with Runners. Their quality is wonderful.

I've looked into vent sexing and the how-to video on Metzer's website. I'm too worried I would hurt them.

 

[CricketYang]

When I vent sex my chicks they scream bloody murder, it takes a bit of practice but I think its definitely something that every chicken hobbier should learn. Very useful!!

 

[Mish]

Quote:
I've heard ducklings are easier than chicks. How did you learn? Did someone show you, did you just decide to try it? Were any birds injured when you first learned? I would love to learn - I'm just worried about injuring them.