Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[okallthis4eggs]

Its getting cold out there. Bundle them up.

 

[okallthis4eggs]

I spoke with my DH's chiropractor in town, and we talked about molting. She had no idea chickens were supposed to molt. She keeps a light on every day. She just can't comprehend the idea of chickens molting, or why they would need to.
I may have more time to sit, and read up on chickens, but I knew about molting in the first article I read. After 2 years (that is how long she has had them) I would think she would know more. She also doesn't know to keep them safe from predators. We may all know different things, but she makes me wonder.

You should have mentioned "pie". Thats Chicken Keeping 101.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Its getting cold out there. Bundle them up.

Oh my goodness! Is that one of your girls? Did they all fit on the Walmart shopping cart?

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Wow...poor chicken...can you imagine being in a down coat and then wrapping a sweater around that...and no ice on the ground....people think that's being kind, but I would think the rubbing on the feathers would be very annoying, and damaging...you know your lucky if your chicken lets you touch their feathers.....:<......yeah, I agree with the hibernation natural slowdown of eggs. After all, a hen wouldn't want chicks in the middle of winter, too cold, not as much to eat...animals are born in the spring for all these centuries...why change now. I've not had a complete molt with bald cickens ever...they tend to drop a few here and there, and the broodies loose their long tail feathers, but its more of a one at a time thing while new ones are coming in, I'd never use light or heater to induce them....I do things pretty much natural anyway...much less work for me. Besides, here I am, no power, chickens used to heat and light would be plunged into a deep depression, then I'd have to call a poultry psychologist at 160 an hour....instead of having them snuggle into a snow drift and take a snooze....learn how to fly over to me, or walk on top of the snow...much more amusing. Remember being a kid and trying to walk on the snow? So great when you get a few steps, then break through up to your hips....same thing.

 

[cheeka]

can't wait to watch them learn to navigate their way through the snow! i love watching all my dogs learn about sand and then snow... chickens will be no less amusing. big thumbs up on the au~naturalle way of living. as a result, I have super fluffy, energetic chickens that don't mind having me nearby (I might have a Pie hidden on me, y'know...) not a one is on the extreme end of skittish, and Wilma has chilled out on her obsessive jealousy since she is laying regularly... speaking of...

SIX

SIX... Today we laid Six!!! our second Perfect Day

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

such beautiful shells... it never gets "old" to see that colorful cluster in the nest box... I had 5 first thing this morning, missing 1 BR egg, but that missing cream egg was there when I got home from work.

 

[animallover505]

5!!!!! 5! Got 5 today!

 

[BullChick]

I got four today. My door layer is my slowest hen. I think she is at the end of her cycle. This is my first year with her, so it may just be the season, but I am leaning towards the girl is just getting older. The old red hen she aint what she used to be ...

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

UGHHHH! Why have they all stopped? We were buzzing right along, 4-5 eggs a day... then nothing. Several days now, they were march babies, no molt this year... we aren't even changing food (yet). It has started to freeze at night, days getting shorter. Any advice, suggestions appreciated

 

[Wishing4Wings]

UGHHHH! Why have they all stopped? We were buzzing right along, 4-5 eggs a day... then nothing. Several days now, they were march babies, no molt this year... we aren't even changing food (yet). It has started to freeze at night, days getting shorter. Any advice, suggestions appreciated

Don't know that there's really much you can do. My March babies have slowed down quite a bit (4 of 8 possible eggs today), but we have had very nice weather, 75 today, so it must be the shortened days. Guess you'll just have to wait it out... or buy eggs.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Don't know that there's really much you can do. My March babies have slowed down quite a bit (4 of 8 possible eggs today), but we have had very nice weather, 75 today, so it must be the shortened days. Guess you'll just have to wait it out... or buy eggs.

Thanks.. do they slow down in the winter? I hate store eggs, will go up to the farm next to us, its just a few miles away. These are my first layers. I raised meaties like 30 years ago. Our highs here are below 60 now.