One of my egg customers told my DH

[Guinea Goonie]

For the predators part. I have been losing mostly leghorns and polish to the hawks which really are my only problem so far (knock on alot of wood)

I will not replace the leghorns, but have started with white and partridge rocks.

I let the girls free range from 7:30 AM (the foxes are usually gone by then) until dusk which is starting to change alot lately.

I think the MAIN component in the way the eggs look and such are...

wait for it.....


BUGS !!!

Thats right, those lovely little moving protein things .

A bug has lots of vitamines and enzymes too since they are
mostly cold blooded.

 

[stephhassler]

Rimshoes - Why have you decided to switch from leghorns to white and partridge rocks? I have leghorns now and love the fact that they lay an egg every single day without fail. So I'm curious about what it is that makes you want to switch? My only experience is with leghorns and polish so I'd love to learn more about the other breeds.

 

[Tweeza]

I have a friend who says eggs from my free-ranged hens don't bother her stomach like store bought eggs. My neighbor says my hens eggs are better for baking.

 

[ozark hen]

Quote:
We have predators but I have some quince bushes which are extremely thick and large that my pullets use for protection and for cooling off. I have six large turkeys that free range with my chickens, too, so maybe the hawks are afraid of them?? Don't know but I haven't lost any chickens to predators...knock on wood!! I have lost guineas at night as they roost, so I assume it is to owls. those guineas are very stubborn, some nights they go in with the flock and other nights they refuse and roost in high rafters or trees so I have learned that I may not have guineas by winter. We have tons of rabbits, mice etc. so maybe that is enough for the hawks? The flock is in lock down from dusk till the sun is fully up.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Quote:
The leghorns seem to be targeted by the hawks. They are a small breed, they get bumble foot easily and although they lay wonderful huge white eggs, they are not a great meat bird as the rocks are.

The rocks come in partridge, although I know leghorns come in brown, I really like the rocks temperament.

 

[Gwen]

The puppy and the DH both mark their territory around the coop.

I once heard that male urine deterred rabbits. I assigned each son and the husband a section of the garden. The husband was the only one who complied. The sons were too old to think this was a fun game.

And it didn't deter the rabbits one single bit.

 

[Bluemoon420]

Quote:
I once heard that male urine deterred rabbits. I assigned each son and the husband a section of the garden. The husband was the only one who complied. The sons were too old to think this was a fun game.

And it didn't deter the rabbits one single bit.

Marigolds will deter rabbits. They hate em. However, if you have deer, deer love marigolds.

 

[cybercat]

Quote:
There is another reason for the Partridge Rocks. No need for an incubator. One reason I got them was hubby said chickens must raise their own. This color variation has not lost its broodniess at all. From what i hear it is a good challanger to silkies for that.


I do know bugs have a major effect on eggs but I also think all those so called weeds do too. What many people call weed and pull out of their lawns and yards are actually great herbs that are used for many things like medicine or dyes. Dandylions come to mind as a great nutrition herb that also makes a great natural dye. Chickens love them so do rabbits.