NY chicken lover!!!!

[rancher hicks]

Ok. I've read a few threads that said they won't start laying til spring unless they have 14 hrs of light so I was worried. I'm glad to hear others have laid without the light. I have 6 ee, 2 rir, and 2 Polish, and some white chicken that I don't know what she is. I'm not expecting anything from the Polish hens

I've learned that nothing is written in stone. BUT if you haven't but can at another time, position your coops windows to the east and west. Light will come up earlier for them and set later for them.

I heard Polish hens aren't winter hardy... also a mixed batch lol

I know there are folks who have Polish and they do just fine. The same with Silkies. Just be sure you've covered all your bases with ventilation and drafts.

There will always be exceptions to the rule. Frenchy if she makes it will be nine years old and right now she's with two chicks. She looks nine too, poor thing. She does lay now and again but I don't worry about that.

I wish you well,

Rancher

 

[annie511]

This might be a silly question. But this hen is not coming out of the nesting box... should I remove her b4 roosting time so she doesn't sleep in the box?

 

[rancher hicks]

This might be a silly question. But this hen is not coming out of the nesting box... should I remove her b4 roosting time so she doesn't sleep in the box?

I'd leave her if she might be starting to lay. Hens don't all lay at the same time. My marans lay in the afternoon. If it looks as though she's just hanging out, then I'd move her to the rooster.

 

[annie511]

I'd leave her if she might be starting to lay. Hens don't all lay at the same time. My marans lay in the afternoon. If it looks as though she's just hanging out, then I'd move her to the rooster. 

I sat and watched her for a few. She stands up and moves around then she lays back down and puts little pieces of the bedding on her back. Once the rest start getting ready for bed I'll pull her out... I don't want her to poop in there. None of them have started laying yet so I don't know what she's up to

 

[rancher hicks]

Frenchy and her chicks. This is her second time raising chicks this year. I let her have her way since I don't want to stress her by messing with her.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I don't "need" the eggs but I would like some during the winter. Will they start laying with the shortened days or will they wait til spring to start laying?

I read once when I first started that pullets that start laying late in the season often lay through winter. I don't know how accurate it is on the average, but I've found that while my egg production drops significantly, I still get enough to keep us from having to buy store eggs. I don't use artificial lightening. Right now I have 23 established layers. I'm still getting approx 1/2 dozen from them. I also have 9 silkies that just hit 6 months and one of them just started laying. When I hatched them I through in some of my spitz and a couple mixes and at least one of my spitzes are laying and my mix just started.

 

[annie511]

I'm Glad to hear that. I don't want to go through the trouble of lighting. I have windows that face south and west. I have a place I could put a window facing east but it's boarded over. Maybe I can talk my husband into a window.

She didn't lay an egg. Came out on her own.... sat for a good couple hours tho so maybe tomorrow. She made quite a nest

 

[Chicken girl 15]

@Beer can the flock LOVES the m&w feed. Einstein is even throwing the old feed on the floor by his (maybe her not sure) feet so not to eat it by accident. Thank you so much.

 

[Lapeerian]

Before you completely fill the hole, drop some Tom Cat or other poison down the hole then cover up. They will likely eat the poison and it's safely underground away from livestock..

Yes, do this. We throw rat blocks down the hole then back fill and cover with an object the chickens can't move.
I've heard of stories of great-grandma doing this, but also tossing broken glass in the hole as well. The rats would lick the wounds covered with poison. Haven't gone to that extreme myself.

 

[Gramma Chick]

I'm Glad to hear that. I don't want to go through the trouble of lighting. I have windows that face south and west. I have a place I could put a window facing east but it's boarded over. Maybe I can talk my husband into a window.

She didn't lay an egg. Came out on her own.... sat for a good couple hours tho so maybe tomorrow. She made quite a nest

Welcome ~
In general new layers ...they will lay all winter ....Which is why most people get new hens each year .
They dont need extra lighting... they are at the beginning of their cycle ..
Pullets usually play / stay in nest boxes and squat for a few weeks before they lay ..
It shows they are getting ready to lay ...
Once they start laying.. they should be switched to layer ..eventually
If you have some who havent started to lay it is ok to continue the chick food if you have some left ..