***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[Critterwoman]

Hi all. I have read about soft shelled eggs but don't remember what I read, so thought I would start with you guys first.

I have 23 hens that all share the same henhouse. They all have plenty of roosting/sleeping/ nesting places, but I seem to have one hen that roosts on the little roof overhang (there are several that roost overnight there) over the nesting boxes and is laying soft shelled eggs up there overnight. I have no idea which one is doing it and no way to seperate them to narrow it down. I have found probably 4 in the last couple of weeks up there but none anywhere else, like a nesting box. They do get a little supplemental light from the heat lamp I have on their water. What causes this and what can I do to fix it? I have oyster shell and crushed eggs shells out for them, free choice, in a seperate container from the feed. They also run free range during the day in my yard, which still has some green grass in it. I noticed this right after I added some unpasturized Apple Cider Vinegar with mother to their water. I don't know if this had something to do with it or if it was just coincedence.

Any help would be appreciated!
Patti

 

[Kassaundra]

I will train here by walking between 480 and 500 miles. In June of 2014, I'll take a plane to France, ride a train to Saint Jean de Port, and from there I'll walk to the cathedral in Compestella, Sapin. I will test the shoes, pack, and other equipment during training. I want to be sure I'm not taking extra "junk" for the actual trip.

That is awesome.

 

[jcatblum]

Critter women for soft shell eggs oyster shell should help soft eggs. I have had a few hens that always seemed to lay soft eggs no matter what I offered them.

Saw on CNN the senator that is recovering from stroke (can't remmber name). He has been walking 14 miles a day as part of an intense physical therapy they are experimenting with.
Corral how long are you planning for your trip? Hope it is plenty of time to allow for lots of enjoyment as well as excersie.

 

[michaeldaugherty]

I seen some one post about straw hay the price was down some at the last sale i went to ..It had ben going for about 8 buck's ,,a wile back but only brot 5 at the last auctiion. It was a super nice day out..I have a lot of extra male turkey's an they are starting to fight i ges all the sunshine they are feeling good..

 

[Poco Pollo]

Critter women for soft shell eggs oyster shell should help soft eggs. I have had a few hens that always seemed to lay soft eggs no matter what I offered them.
Saw on CNN the senator that is recovering from stroke (can't remember name). He has been walking 14 miles a day as part of an intense physical therapy they are experimenting with.
Corral how long are you planning for your trip? Hope it is plenty of time to allow for lots of enjoyment as well as exercise.

I'm planning thirty-eight days for the pilgrimage. Four hundred and eighty miles divided by fifteen miles per day works out to thirty-two days, and I'm adding five or six days for resting, sightseeing, and emergencies. Having the extra days means I can do a few short days, of only seven or eight miles, just in case that's necessary. I'm training to avoid "needing" the extra time. I would rather use that time for immersion, such as spending an entire morning at an open market or touring a cathedral. I'm going to train hard and remain open to the possibilities.

I drove a few backroads on my way home from work today, and I was surprised by the number of dogs actively chasing my truck. On the Camino, I'll carry a walking stick, so maybe I should get a stick now and see if it's enough of a deterrent for farm dogs. They'll get used to me by the end of the summer, but in the mean time I need to be able to say, "Back off!" and mean it.

 

[jcatblum]

Coral what about a can of wasp spray? It shoots far & if an agressive dog needed to be deterred it would work like mace. I imagine most dogs won't mess with you, but would be something g good to have just in case. I think you are on your way to planning an awesome experience!

Mike I don't want Taron to know about those turkeys! Earlier I told her you would trade her for some Roos. She perked up & said how about a turkey, she would like a Tom to name Bob she said. However, I don't personally don't want any turkeys today! She already has my head spinning over her spring hatching plans.

 

[RonnieAtkeson]

I had a hen lay shell less eggs before. Not sure what the problem was. She to had access to oyster shells. She only laid a few then went back to laying nice large brown eggs. Perhaps it's just quality control issues in there reproductive organs. Never gave mine no cider either.

 

[Poco Pollo]

Coral what about a can of wasp spray? It shoots far & if an agressive dog needed to be deterred it would work like mace. I imagine most dogs won't mess with you, but would be something g good to have just in case. I think you are on your way to planning an awesome experience!

I think a can of wasp spray would work. I want to carry here what I will have there, so I think I'll start with a walking stick. If the walking stick doesn't work out, then I'll try the spray before I invest in a cattle prod.

Hope everyone has birds tucked in warm tonight. It's going to be cold, cold, cold. I couldn't find my Silkie roo until I searched the barn using a flashlight. He's silver/gray, and I almost didn't see him tucked in with the barn kittens. Three gray striped kitties and one Silkie roo... I think that makes tonight a three-cat night. He's going to be the warmest chicken on the farm.

 

[mjgigax]

Hope everyone has birds tucked in warm tonight. It's going to be cold, cold, cold. I couldn't find my Silkie roo until I searched the barn using a flashlight. He's silver/gray, and I almost didn't see him tucked in with the barn kittens. Three gray striped kitties and one Silkie roo... I think that makes tonight a three-cat night. He's going to be the warmest chicken on the farm.

How cozy.

Wish I had a picture of that.
We have 3 house cats and they seem to be all headed down the hall to snooze maybe it will be an early night.

 

[artsyrobin]

He's silver/gray, and I almost didn't see him tucked in with the barn kittens. Three gray striped kitties and one Silkie roo... I think that makes tonight a three-cat night. He's going to be the warmest chicken on the farm.

awww....one smart roo!! would love a pic of that!


Betsy, here are the latest pics of Tiffany and Beep- i got from you last summer- they use a cast iron pot for laying eggs- so beep is a pot o' silky