Rhode Island

[dotknott]

So my concern there is grading. Does anyone actually grade their eggs? I can size them easily by weight, but grading..

 

[Mom2Sav]

Is it OK to join in? I'm in Bristol County MA and am very close to RI. I'm inheriting 15 RI Reds, NH/RI Red mix. The coop is almost finished. It is pretty rural here and am wondering what is your biggest predator?

 

[MollySunshine]

Is it OK to join in? I'm in Bristol County MA and am very close to RI. I'm inheriting 15 RI Reds, NH/RI Red mix. The coop is almost finished. It is pretty rural here and am wondering what is your biggest predator?

Of course you can join in! We are cool and warm here....wasn't that our proposed new state slogan? Something odd like that....
Congrats on your new flock and looking forward to seeing some pictures of them. I too have some RIR's. They are really good birds. I have only owned chickies since April but I have to say, so far I have been very fortunate. I am certain there are predators around lurking but nothing has become problematic. The worst so far is the hawks that I saw circling in the summer when they were free ranging. I made my presence known and they would circle elsewhere. Probably scoping out one of my neighbors chickies. From what she has told me, she has had problems with fox and hawks taking her chickies. I don't know what her set up is so I can't comment. As long as mine are safe I'm good.

So my concern there is grading. Does anyone actually grade their eggs? I can size them easily by weight, but grading..

Were you able to find the information you needed? It was good you asked because it made me search also since I am ready to sell my eggs. I am receiving a dozen +/day now. I eat a lot of eggs but even I can't keep up with that pace hehe There is a great picture illustration for grading that I found on this site. Everything you want to know and more. Scroll around in it. You will find what the inner eggs appearance is for all grades etc. http://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/eggs

 

[Good Enough]

Not sure how close to the water you are or if it really matters but fisher cats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes are all here so take precautions especially for nighttime- will your chickens free range? I only let mine out when I'm there and outside with them but that's also because my neighbors don't want chickens in their yards.

 

[dotknott]

@MollySunshine haha warmer and cooler!

I never found anything more really. I've been marking mine as ungraded. I separate them by size when I have enough to do so, and sell large, XL, Jumbo or mixed size dozens.

 

[Mom2Sav]

Not sure how close to the water you are or if it really matters but fisher cats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes are all here so take precautions especially for nighttime- will your chickens free range? I only let mine out when I'm there and outside with them but that's also because my neighbors don't want chickens in their yards.

We are in Rehoboth and definitely hear the fishers and coyotes. I'm going to watch them closely when they do free range. We have woods surrounding and am hoping they won't go too deep into the woods.

 

[Mom2Sav]

Of course you can join in! We are cool and warm here....wasn't that our proposed new state slogan? Something odd like that....
Congrats on your new flock and looking forward to seeing some pictures of them. I too have some RIR's. They are really good birds. I have only owned chickies since April but I have to say, so far I have been very fortunate. I am certain there are predators around lurking but nothing has become problematic. The worst so far is the hawks that I saw circling in the summer when they were free ranging. I made my presence known and they would circle elsewhere. Probably scoping out one of my neighbors chickies. From what she has told me, she has had problems with fox and hawks taking her chickies. I don't know what her set up is so I can't comment. As long as mine are safe I'm good.
Were you able to find the information you needed? It was good you asked because it made me search also since I am ready to sell my eggs. I am receiving a dozen +/day now. I eat a lot of eggs but even I can't keep up with that pace hehe There is a great picture illustration for grading that I found on this site. Everything you want to know and more. Scroll around in it. You will find what the inner eggs appearance is for all grades etc. http://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/eggs

What other breeds do you have? I won't say the chickens have been neglected but I'm hoping some organic fermented feed as well as some other healthy alternatives will get the birds looking a little better than they are looking right now. Of course some are molting but I'm looking forward to doting on them. We homeschool so we have time to give them lots of attention. We are surrounded by woods so I will be sure to have them in by dusk. Which unfortunately is 4-5 pm right now.

 

[SleepyHollowFnF]

We are in Rehoboth and definitely hear the fishers and coyotes. I'm going to watch them closely when they do free range. We have woods surrounding and am hoping they won't go too deep into the woods.

Rehoboth eh? do you sell chickens on craigslist? I bought a bunch of silkies from a farm out that way a couple months ago.

 

[MollySunshine]

What other breeds do you have? I won't say the chickens have been neglected but I'm hoping some organic fermented feed as well as some other healthy alternatives will get the birds looking a little better than they are looking right now. Of course some are molting but I'm looking forward to doting on them. We homeschool so we have time to give them lots of attention. We are surrounded by woods so I will be sure to have them in by dusk. Which unfortunately is 4-5 pm right now.

I have several breeds currently. The majority are RIR's (never counted the full amount, 5 of them are roo's though). We have 6 Buff Orpington's (5 roo's), 12 Silkies (2 roo's, one not certain of sex), the remaining are newly acquired and all sexed females; a Gold and Silver Wyandotte, a Mille Fleur L'Uccle, 2 Mottled Cochan Bantams, a Plymouth Rock perhaps (bought her at the local fair this summer) and one Cornish Rock remaining out of 6. I think that's the full head count. I total of ~40 or so. There are many more breeds I would love to own but sadly the 6 Silkies that are preparing for integration are my last. My coop is closed. If I were to obtain more chickies I would have to build either another coop or a bigger coop to house all. The roo's are in a separate bachelor pad, 2 are with the pullets. I do not know much about fermented feed but have heard it is beneficial. You should take before and afters so you can see the progress you've made. In my opinion, chickies can be a great learning tool for little ones. A home school environment seems to play into that concept. Chickies love the woods! Mine don't venture out too far into the woods. Always within visual distance. Although in different areas. There seems to be adequate foraging in the outer fringes for them so they don't desire to go in deeper. I always walk around the premises to see where each are. Hopefully yours will do the same. I really dislike the shortage of day light. I don't get to interact with chickies during the week any longer. By the time I get home from work it's dark and I collect the eggs, close up the coops and make sure everyone is doing ok. That's the extent of it. Same in the morning. I miss it actually.

I'm looking forward to reading more stories about your chickies. I hope they thrive.

 

[Mom2Sav]

Rehoboth eh? do you sell chickens on craigslist? I bought a bunch of silkies from a farm out that way a couple months ago.

No, I'm inheriting my neighbors chickens as soon as our coop is ready. They are all RI Reds and NH Reds. Were you happy with the chickens you bought? Silkies are so cute. I would like to mix up the breeds next year. Are silkies on the small side? Are they sweet?