One of my egg customers told my DH

[wegotchickens]

Quote:
I accept that loss can occur. But... Haven't had a loss yet, and mine are free from about 1pm until sundown each day (I keep them locked in to encourage those who are laying to do it in the nests).

I've seen hawks overhead, but so have my birds. They're good at hiding and we have lots of different cover for them (woods along the back of the property being their favorite).
Had a dog attack once, but the roo bore the brunt of it and recovered just fine. The dog was one I haven't seen before or since in our neighborhood. The 'regulars' know our birds and accept them. Same with the neighborhood cats.

Those we share eggs with are always amazed by the orange yolks of our eggs, and by how fluffy they are. One lady is convinced she uses half as many eggs for breakfast now because "your eggs just fill up my pan!" Gives me warm fuzzies to know they make folks happy. Even my picky niece eats eggs when they're mine, amazed by how good they taste

 

[cybercat]

I know for me I planned on free ranging so picked my chickens with that in mind. A large breed over 6lbs was a must and not white. I still am thinking that I would like some speckled sussex though. It was a toss up between 3 breeds for me. My 3 were the SS, GLW and the partridge rocks. I wanted heritage and rare so the PR won as the other 2 were more common. There are not many breeders of PR around only 4 or 5.

 

[BCMominMD]

I've seen it posted before that white could be a problem I guess because they are more visible. Have you experienced more predator attacks on white chickens?
I free range mine alot. The roo and one hen are white. The roo basically keeps an eye out and sounds the alarm if a hawk is flying over. They have lots of cover.

 

[Cats Critters]

I've seen it posted before that white could be a problem I guess because they are more visible. Have you experienced more predator attacks on white chickens?

nope I have free-ranged for more then a year and the only free-range losses where a EE (just went missing at about 16wks) and a White WL/EE cross who slept in a tree and I had gotten the others out of the trees and missed her a coon got her.

So no real losses and I currently have about 6 who are white or mostly white adults and 6 white chicks running around no problems.​

 

[WiseChicks]

Another good "treat" that helps with deep colored yolks is marigolds.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
That's basically my experience too. We don't have fisher cats (that I know of), but we do have bobcats. My roo is very attentive. He sees a hawk he bunches the girls up under cover.
I have 4 white (light brahma) hens. They each weigh between six and eight pounds.

 

[Bluemoon420]

The fisher cats aren't out much during day, but sometimes they can be. They mostly hunt at night. You can hear them screaming. They sound like a little child.
Our chicken house is pretty secure, and nothing has even attempted to try and get in. A friend suggested leaving an old weather radio in there, and on at night. It seems to have some effect. We will also take our male dogs on leash and let them relieve themselves around the chicken house. Don't know if it actually helps, but we figured it can't hurt.

Bluemoon

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
We do that too. The puppy and the DH both mark their territory around the coop.

 

[TexasVet]

Mine love grass! Just make sure the clippings are really short, or that you've mowed over them a couple of times. Long pieces of grass can results in impacted crops. (I learned that the hard way!)

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com

 

[TexasVet]

Quote:
Marigolds are an ingredient in Layena too.

As for runny whites... age has something to do with it too. I no longer sell the eggs from my oldest hens because their eggs have thinner shells and runny whites, even though they have the same diet as hens producing good quality eggs.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com