Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[Chaneys Ranch]

IDK what to think. Penny is my nest box layer. I then have Baby, the BR, and 2 others. I just got 2 XL on the floor, and a small (scale fluctuated btwn Pee Wee and small) in the box. I know that wasn't Penny. So I either have another new layer, or one of the newer ones decided to give the box a try. I swear some chickens are going to get lipstick butts. I hate not knowing who laid what.

Lipstick!
I bet you maybe have a new layer

We laid 1 today.... but its early afternoon yet...

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Had a funny thing happen yesterday involving a cockatiel (Rodney) that my older son adopted from some friends this summer. Rodney has totally bonded with #1son and will screech for awhile when he leaves the house, and not much will calm him down. Yesterday Rodney was fairly quiet and content on his table with a view out the window overlooking the chicken yard, when suddenly he started making a huge racket, a type of screeching/squawking that I haven't heard before, and smashing around in the cage. He stopped before I could get to the other room, so I figured he was alright. But then it happened again and I thought he might have caught his foot or something like that. Got to the bedroom and couldn't see anything wrong, but his crest was extended out all the way and he was focused out the window. I looked and saw all the chickens gathered at the front fence and the Leghorn had all her hackles up (you could see through to her neck!). What the heck? Are they fighting? Then I saw what they were all looking at, a hawk was perched on the fence above them!! I ran out of the house yelling and flapping and it took off. Happy to see that it was not a very big one, and it was probably trying to decide if it was worth the risk to go after prey that was bigger than it. I wonder if the Leghorn would have tried to fight it off. She has chased scrub jays out of the yard before. Much to their dismay, the mob got locked up earlier than usual. Didn't want the hawk to change its mind.

So anyway, my first experience with a predator, but really Rodney saved the day!!!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

IDK what to think. Penny is my nest box layer. I then have Baby, the BR, and 2 others. I just got 2 XL on the floor, and a small (scale fluctuated btwn Pee Wee and small) in the box. I know that wasn't Penny. So I either have another new layer, or one of the newer ones decided to give the box a try. I swear some chickens are going to get lipstick butts. I hate not knowing who laid what.

You'll have to sacrifice a tube that you don't like. Don't want to share with a chicken butt!!

My Ameraucana cross that just started laying popped out a tiny little egg after the first several (which were more normal sized for a pullet). Think the new layers take a bit to get their plumbing adjusted. I still have 3 (BR, BA, SLW) that I can't tell who lays what, and it is frustrating. Have never had all 3 of them lay on the same day, so somebody's slacking!

 

[okallthis4eggs]

ONE

ONE....Roger Laid A Snowball. Others are still working. Update later

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Not to be a freaky audabon no it all, but likely the little hawk was after something small, like a mouse after your chickens food. (Or he could have seen your little bird in the window) The bigger hawks would have dove down and nailed the chicken. They rely on momentum to stun as well as break necks. Owls are good for mice too ( I'm talking little guys, not thc big ones!) But it sounds likely your chickens would kick that hawk no problem, so, no worries.
Funny the little guy called the threat too! Its surprizing how the hens can fight as well as roosters when they want, I've had a few broodies that would.

 

[okallthis4eggs]

FIVE

FIVE.....Today We Laid Five Eggs.

 

[okallthis4eggs]

17 degrees tonight

Windows on coop closed......check
Pop door closed....................check
Water heater plugged in........check
Locust logs stacked by woodstove........check
Snow blade on four wheeler..................check

And Roger prepared for this by eating snow all day. Nobody else eats snow........just Roger

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Free snow cones for roger...hope they weren't yellow! Have to turn the ceiling fans off, brrrr!

 

[okallthis4eggs]

Not to be a freaky audabon no it all, but likely the little hawk was after something small, like a mouse after your chickens food. (Or he could have seen your little bird in the window) The bigger hawks would have dove down and nailed the chicken. They rely on momentum to stun as well as break necks. Owls are good for mice too ( I'm talking little guys, not thc big ones!) But it sounds likely your chickens would kick that hawk no problem, so, no worries. Funny the little guy called the threat too! Its surprizing how the hens can fight as well as roosters when they want, I've had a few broodies that would.

Makes a lotta sense to me. Hawks don't kill their prey from face to face confrontation. My birds get alarmed from woodpeckers and blue jays but neither pose a threat. Better safe than sorry/dead I suppose.

 

[okallthis4eggs]

Free snow cones for roger...hope they weren't yellow! Have to turn the ceiling fans off, brrrr!

I do need to close the damper on the stove. Its getting hot in here. I break out the good wood for cold nights. It will feel good in the morning. Don't give Roger any ideas. She can cause enough insanity around here all by herself.