Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[Wishing4Wings]

W4W, beautiful eggs! I still have none... so I bought a dozen.

Now you've done it! You will have piles of eggs any day!!!

The big one will be a double yoke. My eggs are starting to get some size now. The broody got up this evening to grab something to eat then right back in the nest box. Had a golf ball in one nest box and the other two empty so she just got in a empty box and sat on nothing.

We are waiting to open the big egg when everyone can see, the Gianormous Egg Ceremony! You can tell which carton it's in because the lid won't close! My dad likes the small pullet eggs, so I hope some eggs stay a little on the small side.

My Australorp is still sitting too. I don't mind so much as long as it doesn't get too hot in the henhouse. Supposed to get to mid 80s today, so not too bad. It's funny when I pull her off and put her out in the chicken yard. It's like she goes in fast forward! Runs everywhere, eats fast, scratches furiously, frantic apple pecking, gulping water and then hurries back to the nest. She must be very worried about those invisible eggs!!!!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Five eggs, that is what she said
As she roused us early from our bed
Cucumbers, scratch and rice is what she brought
To help us along, or so she thought
But when the work day was finally done
All she found was one.

I have five good layers. Maybe it was the warmth of the day compared to the cold of night. I have only been missing one egg/day lately, so one egg at all does NOT make me happy! No treats tomorrow! At least until I cut up more vegetables.

Oh boy! A new poet! Lots of theories as to why they don't lay some days. All perfectly normal. Although I really think it's just the chickens' way of showing us who's in charge and to ensure that the treats keep coming! Have you tried giving them pie?

 

[Wishing4Wings]

What happened a month ago? An excellent layer will average five to six eggs a week, this is the top end of production, breeds have been developed to produce at maximum, but even nature has its limitations and there are always exceptions to the rule...it is just not the normal. I am happy with a hen that will produce four eggs a week without reproduction difficulties or require a boat load of feed to accomplish this, and live and produce a little longer than a commercial layer. I keep a few sex links just for eggs, I don't know that I will continue to do so once I replace them with hens I have raised. Most of the time, a hens production is measured by the yearly egg count anyway, so 300 eggs a year would be excellent if all you want is production. How long a hen can keep that up is a crap shoot,at some point I have to wonder if bigger better more is worth early burnout. Quality vrs quantity...age old debate.

This is a good point. When I think of how much feed we went through before we even got an egg, the thought of replacing a hen who burns out after a couple of years seems more expensive. For our needs, one that will produce longer, even with a lower weekly egg average, would make better use of our initial investment.

 

[BullChick]

No, i don't give pie. I am dyeing to put an entrance and exit hole in a large pumpkin, and let them turn themselves into stringy, orange messes though!
I am not forcing anyone to lay. I am against year - round laying in my flock. I just happened to get an egg a day from everyone everyday. Even my new layers are doing it. As for what happened a month ago, I was told it was the weather. Egg production picked back up after a few weeks. I am sure it is nothing now too. I was just surprised since I was expecting to get 100% yesterday.

 

[BullChick]

I am now going to go use the bagger. Not that the yard needs done. The chickens have been begging for some fresh grass, and true free ranging is forbidden in this area. Too many predators, and no trees for coverage anyway.

 

[cheeka]

The neighbors could not help but stare
at MC's most strange flock
they had seen nothing like it,
not even 'round the block

They could see that the creation
was surely made from pumpkin
but never had they seen before
chickens carving somethin'

who taught them how to do this?
are they following a pattern?
I still cannot believe my eyes,
it's a Chicken Jack O' Lantern!

 

[BullChick]

Very funny.

 

[BullChick]

Happy and healthy is what she wanted us to be
As she counted the eggs. 1, 2, 3
"Now was the total three, or was the total four?"
We heard her ask as she walked out the door
Either way she was happy, either way she was glad
For each and every egg that she had
She mowed the yard to give us grass
And said "this is for you!" with every pass
She dumped the bin right in our run
Then watched as we kicked it around, and had some fun
Then she went in the house to cut up some food
To further spoil her favorite brood.

 

[cheeka]

love it!

 

[BullChick]

I figured it out. I had three, and then got a late "bloomer" (get it? it has a bloom!

) for a total of four.