.....a chicken who overdosed on PIE ?
Oh - Kay...... if chickens can have webbed feet... what do you supposed laid this?
Your a sweetheart for doing that for that dog.
I took both dogs for a nice long walk to tire this guy out... he's a bundle of energy! he's got a great nose and great vision... he spotted a rabbit in the thicket at about 25 yards and was relentless about getting to that spot. but we walked there nicely, and then he went about sniffing everything in search of the bunny.
I have also tested his obedience in a very risky way. after I got all the chickens back into the dome, I let him off his leash. other than trying to roll in some chicken poop (cuz he thinks that'll make him smell handsome) he was perfect. he ran off only a few yards in any direction and would come right back even if I hadn't called yet. He's lucky that he was only in the beginning of neglect, he's desperate for attention and to prove that he can please... I'm sure he'll give me some trouble after he settles in more, but a good dog is a good dog. and he is a good dog.
The run is awesome. So your "waiting it out" for eggs. Cheeka gave some good advice. They will get interested in the nest boxes as they get closer to laying. Right now they probably could care less but you are doing the right thing in having them early so they don't get in the habit of laying in the run. They prefer a box and will use them when they are ready to lay. Watch for the "squat". When they start "squatting" they are getting real close to laying. You will know what they are doing when you see one of them squat. You can "test" them......well I did and it seems to work. Hold your hand flat and place it on their back and push down slightly. If they are "squatting" they will drop down into the squatting position. Some say you can tell by their combs but some of my best hens never really grew much combs period. But they will all start when they are ready. I think that 20 -22 weeks is about average. You have some different breeds than me so they might be different. As for the Barred Rocks I'll just say I am sorry. They will start laying right after the bribery,burglary, blackmail, sabotage,fraud, and attempted murder of the other scratch eaters in your flock.Hi All, My run is finally finished and the chickens like being in there. I took the advice from this thread to put them back in their coop when it is getting dark. Works like a charm! Going into it in the morning is another story. They have to investigate the area around their coop, the barn, the horses, the young chickens in the separate coop, all the land surrounding the run, then finally the run. I have tried everything, even PIE, to entice them to the coop. Good thing I am usually not in a hurry in the morning, I just worry about the overhead threats. So, aside from the picture and the long blurb, my real question is about egg laying. The chickens ages are 16, 15, and 14 weeks old. The NH Reds, being the oldest, followed by the Ameraucana, then the Cream Legbars. I noticed that with the CL's, they all hatched the same day, but of the 4 roosters among them, only one seemed to mature very quickly. He has been crowing for two weeks now, the others are not nearly as developed as him. The Ameraucana Roo is twice his size, a week older, and no crowing. I also have 5 Barred Rocks, one Delaware, and one Buckeye, all pullets, that are 7 weeks old and 3 more Ameraucana's that are 5 weeks old. I figure when they start laying it won't be as exciting as when my first ever chickens start laying!
Do they all start laying around 20 weeks or do some breeds lay earlier and some later?? Also, it seems like there is a possibility they will lay in the run and not in the lovely boxes I built for them? I guess I will have to start watching where I am stepping!
BTW, this is the best thread ever! I go to this one first every day! Thanks for all the info for us newbies!
If any of those golf balls hatch it will be a "goof ball". I would name it ROGER
