Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[cheeka]

I kill baby copperheads frequently. my older male cat is quite adept at killing them too, which used to make me so nervous, because he would lie down on the coiled up terrified baby copperhead, which is still venomous... last week, I found one chopped up by the lawn mower that was big enough to do some serious damage to my flock. hope it was the one that got Rhody. I think he was bit during free range. I've never seen anything inside any of the pens, but I intend to wrap the upper half of the broody pen in hardware cloth. the lower half already had it, but the upper is just chicken wire.

time to go bug Peachy again. see if there are any additions to the family.

 

[subhanalah]

I keep looking at and reading about fermenting. It's just not anything I have had time to try yet. I think I will go that way in the future but as of right now I just haven't.

I find it easier than managing dry food.
 https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/901514/fermented-feed-should-you-be-doing-it

Oh dear!  Take care!

I actually am getting concerned about Penny now.  She isn't out running around with the flock and when I go outside she doesn't come out from under the deck.  I can see her under there staring at me.

Maybe she'll lay you an egg!

 

[chickenlindz]

15 eggs today which is the most I've ever been gifted with!

My niece and nephew were over for the long weekend and I ended up getting one of Phyllis's eggs and made it into an ornament for my nephew! Even tho he's 12 1/2 he's still such a cool kid. We would sit outside for hrs and just talk! It was awesome!! My niece would rather just read all day!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

I had to leave work early to come home and take care of all the critters! It's going to do this the rest of tonight. The thunder and lightning right now is just.... Violent. The last time we had storms like this I had a tree down across my drive way that also took out all the power lines to the house. We have a well for water so no power ... No water.... No water means no bathroom trips, it all has to be done outside.... Outside equals bummer!

And no power, no BYC!

When I was a kid, we used to pull buckets of water out of the creek to "flush" when the power was out. Little muddy, but better than the alternative. Only worked in the winter though, when the creek was running. Take care!

As for the red pepper flakes, if it provides nutrition that make the birds healthier, it makes sense they might lay a bit sooner. (By a day or so maybe?)

Oh dear! Take care!

I actually am getting concerned about Penny now. She isn't out running around with the flock and when I go outside she doesn't come out from under the deck. I can see her under there staring at me.

Sounds like Penny is looking for a private place to do... something private... in privacy.

Wonder what it could be?

brown #3 turned away just as the shutter clicked, it was looking up at Mama... I think she has more hatching, she won't let these 3 back under, but it's very warm and humid, they are quite perky and so so so sweet! finally!!! gettin' my chick fix!!

and the report is in. Rhody died from a copperhead snake bite.

Babies! Give Peach a pat from me. Is Mylee coming for a visit soon? She needs to see those chicks!

Disturbing about what happened to Rhody, but very good that you found out.

 

[cheeka]

18 Eggs collected, 13 in the basket, 5 saved out for Big Broody who is walking like a puffed out broody for sure - it's really hot, they're all puffed out and holding their wings out to catch the breeze... but she is really something! I have 9 collected for her already, she could go at any moment!

still looks like it's only the 3 chicks out, but Peach is managing to keep them under her wing and keep the other eggs safe. I'm so hoping that one or both of the Silkie eggs will hatch! and there are still a few standard eggs under there. all three are so different, s'nice.

 

[mortie]

I dunno. Penny is a little bit skinnier than the others and her comb and wattles aren't as big or red. When I pick her up, she feels a little more bony. I would be shocked if she went first. I feel like she hasn't been the same since she had that run in with the dog in which she wasn't injured but shaken up a little. Sometimes she comes out when I go out. They used to all rush me every time I come out. Now everyone but her. If she sees I have treats she will come out but if I don't I can peer under the deck and see her standing there staring right back. The deck is pretty big, there is no way i could tell if someone put an egg under there. They didn't, though. They're waiting til my vacation at the end of august.

I'm sure pepper flakes aren't bad for chickens. I'm sure they do have health benefits. I'm just not convinvced they would have a significant effect on when a pullet lays her first egg.

 

[cheeka]

I'm with you mortie, I don't think that it would affect the hormone levels necessary to begin producing, but Penny might just be thinking about the whole egg laying business under the cool shady porch. thin chickens lay eggs too... she just will remember to protect herself and her eggs better than the others because of her scare.

we're having another major storm, tornado warnings and everything... but I still have internet which helps, hope it holds!

 

[mortie]

You may be right. It was really a little thing. I don't even know what happened, we were standing right there and suddenly both Penny and the dog (she's a german shepherd) were running away from each other and Penny was cackling and flapping.

I guess we'll see. It's another 10 days or so before I can even think about having somewhat realistic hopes of finding an egg.

I got some pity eggs from a friend....I think I mentioned that. The duck eggs were DELICIOUS.

 

[mortie]

Cheeka hang on...don't get blown away! It rained on us at soccer tonight but it blew over quick. My team was great, it was a shut out! We sometimes get tornadoes here but not often.

 

[chic05]

I'm a new still learning bought my girls at point of lay that was two months ago... Worked out that patience was the key here. We are in the middle of winter ATM ( Australia) and yesterday I wasn't even checking just happily cleaning out the cage...my eye took a turn and there it was our very first perfect little egg!
None today though but very excited still

TO THE EXPERTS : should I now be expecting one a day??? As I said I'm new to this
Thanks