Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[BullChick]

I was feeding the gang this morning, and saw that several girls had poop on their backs. IDK what was going on last night/this morning, but they were apparently under the roost.

Did I mention that I got an egg yesterday? My first in over a week (when I got one egg that day)? I had to buy a dozen eggs today. It was horrible!! Even getting them half price (.85) didn't make it easier. How am I supposed to eat them??

 

[okallthis4eggs]

Our water is frozen again.

 

[okallthis4eggs]

Our water is frozen again.

Try the water inside the coop with the heater under it

 

[SullyD]

Hi All!

Congrats on the eggs and the new chickens. Sorry about all the snow. You guys are not getting a break this winter!

I had a most disappointing hatch. I put up 13 eggs (maybe that is why). 5 were AM, 3 were CL, 2 were either the BR or the OE (which lay pink eggs), and the last 3 were either the NHR, Delaware or Buckeye. All 5 of the AM eggs were duds, I opened them and they didn't seem to be fertile. 1 CL and 1 pink egg were fully developed but didn't hatch. 6 hatched but two of the chicks have splayed legs (which I am on my way down to fix). All covered by one of two AM roosters.

Some issues I think may have contributed:

All hens are under 1 year old (8-10 months old)
Roosters are the same age (8-10 months old)
I candled them daily (which I have done on previous hatches with no issues) but I think I should not have had a cool down programmed if I was going to candle them.

So, I am wondering if anyone else has any thoughts, or suggestions to improve the next batch. I really want more blue egg layers. I could wait another month and try again. I do have some sort of Marans rooster now in with the remaining AM roo, but he is only 6 months old. Not sure if the fertility issue with the AM was the roo or the pullet.

The Blue Copper Marans I bought are finally laying, army green eggs! I guess they are really OE's. I am getting 1 chocolate egg every couple of days from a Black Copper Marans, but I don't know which one is laying yet. Talk about an egg hunt with these girls! They are laying under the stairs, on top of the cabinets, in the horse stalls, behind the lawn mower, all sorts of places! I am getting about 15 a day from 20 possible layers (some new layers in that number) Maybe the number will increase as I find all the hiding places!

All the new chicks are black with some lighter colors as well, and of course I didn't mark any of them to show who came out of what egg! It is all for fun anyways.

 

[SullyD]

Here are some babies

 

[chickenlindz]

Here are some babies

Well I know the numbers weren't what you wanted but 6 new babies seems like a success to me!!!! Enjoy them!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

I was feeding the gang this morning, and saw that several girls had poop on their backs. IDK what was going on last night/this morning, but they were apparently under the roost.

Did I mention that I got an egg yesterday? My first in over a week (when I got one egg that day)? I had to buy a dozen eggs today. It was horrible!! Even getting them half price (.85) didn't make it easier. How am I supposed to eat them??

With lots and lots of condiments!!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Our water is frozen again.

Well Roger, get broody and go thaw it out!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Here are some babies

So sweet.

Did you check to see if you were getting fertile eggs before you set them? (the bullseye on the yolk?) It would be good to know to narrow down where the problem might be. Someone on my local thread is having fertility issues with silver Ams. Could be the immaturity of the birds.

Maybe give them another month and try, try again!

 

[Scrambles55]

When I was down to one molting hen and was forced to actually buy eggs... that is when I decided that I need more chickens. I set out to get 2 more and ended up with 3.

I was getting 2-3 eggs a day from the 3 layers, but now with the lack of light... I get about 3 a week. Oh well...