The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[delisha]

Some of you want to know and understand your chickens better..how about if we start with..

Why does it seem that all of my hens want to lay in the same nest box when I have so many?

How about if we have people answer that question on why you think they do.

 

[maggiemo]

Some of you what to know and understand your chickens better..how about if we start with..

Why does it seem that all of my hens want to lay in the same nest box when I have so many?

How about if we have people answer that question on why you think they do.

In my case I am sure it is because the nest box they all prefer is the one that is farthest away from where I can get to and the hardest for me to reach.

 

[aoxa]

Mr. Bennet being a poop. I'm not really sure what to do about it, but figure that he can't get to them, and they'll eventually sort it out. Look at those wings! He looked more like a turkey than a stupid chicken.

Love this picture. It cracked me up!

We call buff orps BO all the time, why not BM

 

[armorfirelady]

Some of you what to know and understand your chickens better..how about if we start with..

Why does it seem that all of my hens want to lay in the same nest box when I have so many?

How about if we have people answer that question on why you think they do.

I think it's because their girls lol. On a serious note 3 of the 4 nesting boxes are identical.....and I've blocked the back part so dogs noses are not seen so they have more privacy

These are my boxes & they choose the left one on the middle shelf. Tho I do see them going in the other 3

As you can see they have just enough room for them to fit. They can turn around in the boxes.

I do have to say I like the new boxes because when I see one nesting I like to go in and watch & talk to her. I like the cooing & purring noises they make when I talk to them

 

[mlowen]

My vote on nest box choice...after purposely irritating their owners...is to make a clutch to set. In the wild, once upon a time, they all lay, someone sets, the rest lay, someone sets, the rest lay...and so on, right?:/

 

[aoxa]

Some of you want to know and understand your chickens better..how about if we start with..

Why does it seem that all of my hens want to lay in the same nest box when I have so many?

How about if we have people answer that question on why you think they do.

I think it's because hens have an instinct to lay where other hens lay..

Here's what Fred has to say about it and I wholeheartedly agree!:

Two things, I believe, but I'm just basing this on years and years of observation.

First, the "clutch" is made and if one hen's eggs get put into that clutch, if someone goes broody, their DNA gets passed on. In other words, nature's attempt at preservation.

Second, this has something to do with pecking order. If the Queen Bea uses a particular box, they all seem to want to use that box too.

 

[countrygirl74]

Some of you want to know and understand your chickens better..how about if we start with..

Why does it seem that all of my hens want to lay in the same nest box when I have so many?

How about if we have people answer that question on why you think they do.

Well, I think my bossiest BR picked one of the elevated boxes and led the way. It appears that her, the other BR, and my RIR all lay around the same time each day, each taking turns with the same box. My EE and my silkie, however, have decided to use the darkest, non-elevated, farthest away box and prefer more privacy. These two don't always lay every day either. So, so far, only 2 nesting boxes out of 5 are being used. I am removing one of the un-used nesting boxes to make more roosting space for the new babies when they grow up.

 

[moomoodiddy]

Some of you want to know and understand your chickens better..how about if we start with..

Why does it seem that all of my hens want to lay in the same nest box when I have so many?

How about if we have people answer that question on why you think they do.

i think its because they r afraid to try the unfamilar ones if u put some eggs in the other nests they will probably start to venture to new territory and become more cpmfortable with the new idea

 

[countrygirl74]

i use coconut oil.. in empty honey dispenser ( the one with a flip cap) apply like suntan oil on skin after bathing before towling off. the water droplets.. let it go on thin.. and it will wear like silk underwear.. really works good.

I totally missed this somewhere... I am confused on this... What was this in response to? Thanks!

 

[bbsnooks]

How the heck did I miss THAT!?!?!?!

I could have had SUCH fun with that one..... Y'all should see what I write in the non G rated forums.....

you missed because my ability to insert notes.. isnt very good.. sorry -- but maybe i should'a kept quiet..