NY chicken lover!!!!

[rancher hicks]

I would have no problem giving them a break but I barely got any eggs from them at all this year. They were off and on like no other between being broody, molting, whatever other issues they were having. Like I said, if this doesn't help then I'll call it quits with the lamp. I just want to see if it helps at all.

I keep a mix of breeds. Dels lay the best for me, but EE's and BM's do okay too. I have a SLW who is still laying and the BR's. If I get 12 eggs a day I'm happy.

The BR coop gave me 3 today. 5 BR, 2 BM, 1 EE and 1 SLW.

The Del coop gave me 4, 12 Del, 1 EE, 1 BM and 3 Frizzles. In fairness some are not yet laying.

The BM/EE and Sussex coop gave me 2. The Sussex laid 1 and 1 BM. Some of these are new too.

The Orps and CR's aren't laying at all. I'm not sure how many are in the coop because some have moved in since being let free range. There are 4 Orps, 1 RIR and 3 CR's that I know of. I got 2 today. 1 BM and 1 EE.

I realize some can't keep as many birds. Too if all you have are Silkies they're not the best layers. Some breeds only lay 120 eggs per year. Give or take. There is a great deal of misinformation out there.

I chose breeds in the moderate range according to Story's book. I also chose for temperament and tolerance for confinement. Some breeds do not like to be shut up no matter what the weather.

Some breeds are better at finding food while free ranging. Utility is very important to me.

If you are unhappy with your output, recheck breeds and make a switch or add another breed for utility and keep the Aliens.

Remember hybrids are good layers too. Cross all you want and you might get some good layers. However Sex links lay many quickly but then drop off dramatically. Pure breds lay the same over a longer period of time.

Again there are always exceptions to the rules.

 

[ke5hde]

I use a light too. For me it's dual purpose though. I don't get out of work until 5,so by the time I get home its dark. It definitely helps with the nightly chores.
I do give the girls a break and let them molt though. Getting extra eggs occasionally is an added benefit.

 

[Lynzi777]

I keep a mix of breeds. Dels lay the best for me, but EE's and BM's do okay too. I have a SLW who is still laying and the BR's. If I get 12 eggs a day I'm happy.

The BR coop gave me 3 today. 5 BR, 2 BM, 1 EE and 1 SLW.

The Del coop gave me 4, 12 Del, 1 EE, 1 BM and 3 Frizzles. In fairness some are not yet laying.

The BM/EE and Sussex coop gave me 2. The Sussex laid 1 and 1 BM. Some of these are new too.

The Orps and CR's aren't laying at all. I'm not sure how many are in the coop because some have moved in since being let free range. There are 4 Orps, 1 RIR and 3 CR's that I know of. I got 2 today. 1 BM and 1 EE.

I realize some can't keep as many birds. Too if all you have are Silkies they're not the best layers. Some breeds only lay 120 eggs per year. Give or take. There is a great deal of misinformation out there.

I chose breeds in the moderate range according to Story's book. I also chose for temperament and tolerance for confinement. Some breeds do not like to be shut up no matter what the weather.

Some breeds are better at finding food while free ranging. Utility is very important to me.

If you are unhappy with your output, recheck breeds and make a switch or add another breed for utility and keep the Aliens.

I may do that come spring time. I only have 2 pair of aliens that I plan on keeping for hatching eggs mainly - I'm not looking for eggs from them for any other reason other than that. It's my 3 larger girls that I am just shocked by. 2 Orps and a BR. I have a blue orp hen growing out and so she should be laying by Mid-January. That'll add to the larger group making it 4 hens. And then I have the black frizzle who was 20 wks around Oct 7th, still no eggs from her but still, I'm treating her like a silkie at this point. I would like to add another hen, just not sure which breed. I would like a green/blue/olive egg layer...

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Evening all. Fired up my canner today for the first time in years. Canned some beef stew. Came out good. Ready to can the older girls this weekend. I hope they come out good. Dh put a light in the big coop. Comes on around 530 am. goes off at 7am. Seems to work for the cheeps. They like the light in the morning. Hasnt helped them lay any more but thats okay.

Tab--sorry about your gram. my condolences.

Rancher--maybe your hens need weight watchers! Atkins? Wait! Richard Simmons!

Okay...off to do more stuff!

 

[Lynzi777]

I hate google searched for chickens, it always shows you images of birds that NOT what you're looking for. Mainly because another breed was mentioned somehow with that picture but still....

Are there any Easter Eggers that are mainly white in coloring as far as feathering goes?

 

[armorfirelady]

I hate google searched for chickens, it always shows you images of birds that NOT what you're looking for. Mainly because another breed was mentioned somehow with that picture but still....

Are there any Easter Eggers that are mainly white in coloring as far as feathering goes?

Meet Edie. She was suppose to be a super blue layer. Her eggs are tinted a light blue. She was laying like a champ then just stopped about 6 weeks or so ago. She is molting now.

 

[Lynzi777]

Meet Edie. She was suppose to be a super blue layer. Her eggs are tinted a light blue. She was laying like a champ then just stopped about 6 weeks or so ago. She is molting now.

Awww, she's cute. See I need something back in my flock with white in it. I loved the way the white and black/blue magpie ducks looked in my yard. I would like to add another color to my birds.

 

[stonykill]

.

Are there any Easter Eggers that are mainly white in coloring as far as feathering goes?

yeah I have one. HORRIBLE layer. Just horrible. I should cook her. Did I mention HORRIBLE

 

[Lynzi777]

yeah I have one. HORRIBLE layer. Just horrible. I should cook her. Did I mention HORRIBLE

Ughhhhh I don't need another horrible layer in these parts! LOL

 

[SunnysideupstateNY]

I hate google searched for chickens, it always shows you images of birds that NOT what you're looking for. Mainly because another breed was mentioned somehow with that picture but still....

Are there any Easter Eggers that are mainly white in coloring as far as feathering goes?

My brother in law has two white EE roos he has to get rid of. They are in Rochester if you are interested. My EE's aren't bad layers. They're on par with the silver laced wyandottes I had, but do seem go go through a harder molt.