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Sharon Bush said:
So you do or do not think it is a good idea ...They just started laying ..I hate for them to stop now ! I like those brown eggs! HawkEye ..that is the 2nd oldest.. named Hawkeye because loves to get in my face with one side of her face ...and she looks just like a hawk when she does that ...hawkeye ..laid 3 eggs with double yolks..only 3...
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Since they just started laying, its likely they'll lay through winter without added light. I'm in the do not category as I figure when its time for them to rest I should let them.
 
Sharon Bush said:
They are between 22 and 24 weeks of age ..a couple may be a couple of weeks older, two had a lot of feathers when I bought them ..You know I bought them dried crickets and dried meal worms and they won't touch them, they may eat them when I am not looking, but they go crazy for seeds! I have been giving them treats morning and evening ...like I did when they were babies ..but I think I am giving them too much because they are not eating their layer crumbles like they should
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Try live ones, they love them and it's hilarious to watch them chase crickets!
I only treat once a day, usually in the evening before bed, but they beg every time I go outside.
rjohns39 said:
Yup, Treats should never be more than 10% of their diet. I personally prefer high protein treats such as meal worms. Occasionally, I'll give them a can of pink salmon or a can of tuna. Shorter days will result in less eggs.
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Thanks for confirmation! I haven't tried fish yet, but my birds love hamburger and hard boiled eggs. Does the fish affect egg taste?
 
igorsMistress said:
Try live ones, they love them and it's hilarious to watch them chase crickets!
I only treat once a day, usually in the evening before bed, but they beg every time I go outside.


Thanks for confirmation! I haven't tried fish yet, but my birds love hamburger and hard boiled eggs. Does the fish affect egg taste?
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I limit their fish intake to about 5% (including what is in their feed) as too much (which is likely in the 10-12% range) will impart smell first, then taste.
 
Here's a thread about fermeneted feed

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fermented-feeds-anyone-using-them.645057/

Yes, if you let them out they will likely put themselves to bed. Can you call them to you? Call them to the coop if they don't start heading that way near dark.

I'm not one to add extra light in winter either. The girls need a break and I don't get upset about how many eggs per day I get.
 
Sharon Bush said:
So you think if I let them out ..an I throw them some scratch, they will come back to their home ?
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How long have you had them in their coop? They need to know that is home and is safe. I just added 2 Buff Orpingtons (5 months old) to my flock Saturday and I won't let them free range for about 3 weeks. This is just something we do, but mine always return to the coop at dusk.
 
RollTideChicken said:
How long have you had them in their coop? They need to know that is home and is safe. I just added 2 Buff Orpingtons (5 months old) to my flock Saturday and I won't let them free range for about 3 weeks. This is just something we do, but mine always return to the coop at dusk.
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They have always been in their coop since they got all of their feathers ...only one, Ruby, got out when I went in to clean one day, scared the pooh out of me ...she was plucking at some grass so I went up behind her and picked her up and put her back. I was just scared either something was going to get her or that I would never get her back in....I am debating on whether to let them out for a while, when we are home but we have two Hawks that come around . I don't want them to catch them!
 
As long as they know the coop they'll return to roost there every evening.
As for the hawks...I don't really have that concern, so I'm not real sure what to tell ya.
 
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Welcome to BYC!
Chickens are fun to watch
 

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