Minnesota!

[Minniechickmama]

BJG?

Black Jersey Giant
WJG - White Jersey Giant
DC - Dark Cornish
WLR - White Laced Red
SP - Silver Pencilled
GP- Golden Pencilled
GL - Gold Laced
BBS - Blue/Black/Splash

Have to gotten carried away?

 

[Minniechickmama]

So I mentioned yesterday that I only got 4 eggs and 14 the previous day. Well, today I got 15 eggs. I can't believe that they would swing that much. If they fell off the laying wagon wouldn't it take time to build back up to where they were? I think something is taking eggs. Something took the broody duck eggs from her nest. I never found the culprit. I am assuming the same animal is back for chicken eggs. What do you guys think? DH says no way. Boy would I love to prove him wrong. I am sure just as much as Ralphie's DW would love to find something to fault him on

Any chance you have a rat snake or any other kind of snake around?

 

[Bogtown Chick]

My hens are every other daying it right now. Maybe that's what's happening with some of yours...? I just got a third laying now mid molt, that's kinda nice I gotta say!

 

[duluthralphie]

Black Jersey Giant
WJG - White Jersey Giant
DC - Dark Cornish
WLR - White Laced Red
SP - Silver Pencilled
GP- Golden Pencilled
GL - Gold Laced
BBS - Blue/Black/Splash

Have to gotten carried away?

FBF fricking bullhead fisherman/woman
CO Chicken Owner
NCO new chicken owner
XCO use to own chickens
NTS Guinea owner (not too smart)
SSS Shoot shovel and shut-up
PN# Prisoner Number assigned to someone that messes up on SSS


There must be more, but I need more coffee to get them.

 

[duluthralphie]

Rhett, I really feel for you, raising birds where you live.

It could be molt, stress of the wolf or guinea pig or whatever the DNR says you have killing your birds. I would think if it is not everyday a skunk, coon or even rat got into your coop, but then I would think you would have egg shells and a mess in the boxes.

I was looking at Menard yesterday and they have remote cameras wireless that you can hook up to your computer some how and just fast forward through the night/day to see what entered the coop or was in the area. They were around $100 which might be worthwhile with your problems. You would not have the delay trouble and whatever you have would in the frame and could not move out before the flash or picture snap. I think they were infra red too.

Just an idea.

 

[KlopKlop]

FInally a beautiful day! seems like it has been raining forever. The boys are already having crowing contests! I am giong to have to mow the yard twice today and then bale it because it is so darn long!

Once my coffee is done brewing i am thinking i am up for a little Saturday morning Chicken TV

 

[duluthralphie]

48 degrees sunshine, and headed for a great day, you're right!

The best part is no wind, now if it stays that way.

 

[Cluckies]

So I mentioned yesterday that I only got 4 eggs and 14 the previous day.  Well, today I got 15 eggs.  I can't believe that they would swing that much.  If they fell off the laying wagon wouldn't it take time to build back up to where they were?  I think something is taking eggs.  Something took the broody duck eggs from her nest.  I never found the culprit.  I am assuming the same animal is back for chicken eggs.  What do you guys think?  DH says no way.  Boy would I love to prove him wrong. I am sure just as much as Ralphie's DW would love to find something to fault him on

mine don't lay every day, I've only got 5, but once in awhile their day of rests line up and I get no eggs. Maybe their day of rest lined up, a coincidence? I would think so as you got 14, then 4, them 15. Let us know what you get today. I wouldn't worry about laying dropping off until you have a few consecutive days of 4 or 5 eggs.

 

[KlopKlop]

I saw the darndest thing today... i was out working and my hound dog disapeared. Usually she sneaks off to dig in the compost pile but she wasnt there. I started looking around and finally i find her in the chicken coop. She is standing there next to a hen and they are both munching away out of the feed trough! i wish I could have snapped a photo but as soon as i stuck my head through the door she knew she was busted and stopped. I frequently call her a turkey when she is being a goofball, but maybe she is taking it to heart haha

 

[Rhetts]

Any chance you have a rat snake or any other kind of snake around?

I think the only snakes here are garter. And I have only seen one snake one time this summer in the year we have been here.

Other critters I know are around are the ground squirrel and weasel. I trapped them last summer to take the numbers down. The cats were ineffective on the squirrels. I caught the weasels by chance/accident. I have 5 barn cats that work the mouse and shrew/mole population. I haven't seen rats but that doesn't mean they aren't here.

No mess of eggs in the nests at all or in the run. DH thinks they are eating them but I think I would see more evidence of that.
I might look into that remote camera thing Ralphie mentioned. Sounds like it would work better than this slower than molasses game camera.