***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[Matt in Okla]

Ok with winter coming I am trying to figure out how to keep the nipple water bucket I use from freezing. This is what I have.
http://www.atwoods.com/poultry-feeders-watering/cherry-chicks-chicken-kooler-35-gallon.htm

I set my waterer on a half concrete block with a heat lamp in it. If yours is hanging try that cause the heat rises and should keep the air warm enough unless it hits single digits

 

[Kassaundra]

@Poco Pollo yesterday I was out putting clothes on the nakeds, and one of the cross girls was on top of the coop (that is about 4 foot high) I put her down so she wouldn't jump and hurt herself at her size.

 

[Baxokie]

So I came out back to clean out the chicken coop. One of my hens came along and decided it was time to lay 15 minutes later she did. I thought we were done cause as far as we knew we only had two laying and now one of the others is in there laying. So I guess we have three laying. After forty minutes of chickens laying the coop is now clean.

 

[Baxokie]

On a separate note how long does it take for them to start laying larger eggs?

 

[dunnmom]

@Baxokie I'd like to know as well. My Orps have been laying a couple of months. Their eggs vary from medium to X-large. So far, only 2 of the 5 lay big ones. I got very few small ones, that came from my first 3 layers.

 

[Baxokie]

Most of mine are medium sized eggs or a little smaller. I knew they would be small at first but I was hoping they would increase in size fairly quickly.

 

[Kassaundra]

Well I have 8 boys locked up on death row tonight for tomorrow. I am hoping to get all done plus 2 more that aren't locked up b/c they are in a pen I can get them out of easily. The NN I will pluck, but there are some fully feathered in the group I think I'll just skin. I hate having to do the deed to "pretty" boys, but more boys then I need and the hens can cope with.

 

[CLSranch]

On a separate note how long does it take for them to start laying larger eggs?

Each hen is different. Usually a month or 2 and they're as big as they're going to get with the exception of the occasional big or little one. If they are like my Cornish they're never going to be big. They can also vary greatly on when they start laying again after setting or a stressful event. I read on here that some can take 6 wks to lay again. I'm used to maybe 6 days.

 

[NanaKat]

This week is going to be a good one for those repairs necessary for winterizing our coops and runs. Any cleaning and pest spray would be good. Also replacing the nest box material. I like to add a little sulphur dusting in each nest too.

Will work in the garden too, cleaning out some beds and digging those sweet potatoes while Roger is cutting and baling the last hay crops.

 

[Kassaundra]

This week is going to be a good one for those repairs necessary for winterizing our coops and runs. Any cleaning and pest spray would be good. Also replacing the nest box material. I like to add a little sulphur dusting in each nest too.

Will work in the garden too, cleaning out some beds and digging those sweet potatoes while Roger is cutting and baling the last hay crops.

Sounds like a busy and productive week ahead.