The 1st DOZEN is the hardest...

[TigerLilly]

They don't get corn except on rare ocassions (very rare). They get crushed shells free feed...how high should I go on the protien? They get Layena now.

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

The first dozen is hard, when I had 5 EEs I got a dozen a week now I have 8 BRs and 4 Australorps and I get 5-6 dozen a week.

 

[tuesdays chicks]

Supposedly layer feed should be enough, but I tend to give my girls anything that would go in the disposal. If it can't go in the compost it goes to them or the garbage. Usually if my dog would eat it they get it. My poor little guy looks for leftovers from the girls now. I'm not saying overload them they need a balanced diet still just watch carbs

 

[TigerLilly]

I started doing that with leftover veggies and that is when my 1st bo STOPPED laying! I only do that on rare occasions now. Do carbs do the same to chickens as it does to us? Would brown rice be bad--that's the only other thing I eat a lot of that I'd have any leftovers of.

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

Is it possible that there is a hidden nest? or an egg eater?

 

[TigerLilly]

I've checked for hidden nests, not that there's really any place in the kennel to 'hide' one. They don't come out to free-range until after 5pm or later, well after any of them would be laying (right?). As far as egg-eaters, I don't think so. Wouldn't there be some kind of evidence left behind?

 

[woodmort]

One of the problems getting that first dozen is that the eggs are eaten--by us--as fast as they're laid. Takes a couple of weeks for the hens to get ahead of us.

 

[TigerLilly]

aaaahhhh, but as much as we were chompin' at the bit to eat them, we didn't. Had some of those nasty, store-bought eggs left & when they ran out, there was a NO EGG moratorium in the house. Til we got the first dozen, anyway. Still waiting on the pullets/hens to catch up...

 

[vatterpa]

I totally get the no egg memo. I feel so bad when i have to tell the kids that, no they cant have eggs for breakfast, if you do you wont have eggs for cookies. it doesn't help that when everybodys home we eat 2 dozen for breakfast

 

[bills]

I found the "last dozen" was the hardest..lol

I have continued to "put up" with my older hens that gave up laying regularly five months ago. Since then I would think I may have gotten a dozen in total. I'd rather be waiting for the first dozen then the last..