Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[Scrambles55]

Question for you. Have 12 hens that are less than a year, and we're laying machines from 20 weeks on. My barred rocks hen went broody, and all hens stopped laying ever since. Is this common? I add artifical light since the change in season happened about the same time. Could the broody hen be the cause for the egg strike?

Have you noticed feathers around the pen? They could be molting or maybe there is some sort of parasite.

 

[lindz8504]

Hehe.... Scrambles might be onto something.  I did just come back from Colorado, after all.  <- that guy has the munchies.

We get 4-5 most days so most of them lay every day.  I can't remember the last time we didn't get 3 brown eggs... I think it's only happened once since we've been back.  Then it's 1-2 blues.  Then Shadow that doesn't lay.

Speaking of the devil, she is REALLY being awful to Maggie today.  She's jumping on her back and chasing her around.  Maggie is acting stressed but I looked her over and I don't see anything wrong with her.  I'm afraid they're going to wind up killing her overnight.

Are you sure Maggie is a hen? I have not seen any if my hens try to jump on another one's back...... if they spar its always face to face...... but the rooster jumps them from behind........ ?

 

[Scrambles55]

Mortie.... do you have a recent picture of Shadow??

 

[ronott1]

Have you noticed feathers around the pen? They could be molting or maybe there is some sort of parasite.

I collected 2 eggs today from 20 hens.

feathers are on the ground by the hand full.

If you get a really ugly molting chicken, Snap a picture--The molt photo contest should be starting soon.

 

[mortie]

This is the most recent picture I have of her. It's from a couple of weeks ago. She hasn't changed.

 

[evemfoster]

Wow... I have lots to catch up on. I need ADVICE!!!! We were gone for the weekend and found 6 eggs. (yay!) Here is the question. Should I toss the eggs? They were 2.5 days old (at most) and the temps were in the 80's. Thanks!!

Oh YES, they are fine. In most country's eggs aren't even refrigerated. They put them in baskets on the kitchen counter and they are good a month or more.

 

[Scrambles55]

This is the most recent picture I have of her. It's from a couple of weeks ago. She hasn't changed.

SHE is beautiful Mortie!!

 

[Melinda48]

They are about the size of small grocery store eggs-small. Our Goldens started right out laying big eggs so that is my only frame of reference. They now lay x-star large to jumbos daily.

 

[Melinda48]

Everything I have read says they lay nice large eggs.

 

[Scrambles55]

Do you guys use sand or pine shavings in your pen?? I am thinking about switching over to river sand.