The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[pcappy2]

Finally found an egg this morning....right under the roost. Trying to figure out how to post a picture!!!

 

[JeffOeuf]

I think every hen should leave a signature on her egg. Make it easier for us and no guessing.

They do, but you have to be able to read chicken.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: Me too! These photos of my first batch of kiddos are in a box in the basement with a sod piece! Funny how fast they could destroy that sod and how often I had to replace it.

From a "natural chicken keeping" perspective, this was a great way to give the littles some exposure to the local bacteria, nematodes, etc. since they weren't outside until later. If you're using a brooder where they can't get outside this is a great introduction and they sure love scratching in the dirt and grass! Amazing the things they found in there to eat - even in those little pieces of sod.

 

[pcappy2]

 

[pcappy2]

I placed it next to a white large egg from the fridge. So exciting

 

[Leahs Mom]

 

[galefrances]

Quote:
Aaaaahaaahaahaaaa... this totally cracks me up because that's pretty much exactly what I have said in the past to my kids! When my son was that age and asking questions (it's been a while - he's going to be 18 in a month or so) we were in the car. He was into dinosaurs at the time so I used the whole, "When a daddy dino loves a mommy dino..." Got through the entire explanation (translated into human physiology). He asked "why" it worked that way so I said, "Well, that's how G-d designed it to work." He was silent for a few minutes...

Then he pipes up from the back seat and says, "Gee - you'd think G-D coulda' come up with something better than that!"

**Disclaimer - the above commentary is in NO way designed to generate or perpetuate a discussion of a religious nature.

 

[galefrances]

Yay!!! On the egg under the roost...I had ONE of those when mine first started laying...but only one. At first I was thinking that was going to continue but it didn't.

I have a theory but not sure it's true. I'm thinking that since egg laying is so new to them they sometimes don't realize it's imminent and then, plop! Then with a little experience, they know to get to the box before it's too late!

Anyone else have an idea/experience on this?

I had asked about this a while back....I have one hen who's dropping eggs from the roost. I asked around and evidently this is rather common for young pullets starting out. Those that had experience said that after a time they will get the idea. You can try to retrain by the same methods as when they lay on the ground, but it's probably best to wait it out.

 

[Doubleyolker]

I had a shell less egg on the roosts followed the next day with another soft shelled. I thought it was the same pullet until I figured out it was different girls. We now have 4 out of 6 laying most days. I guess the first two laying (in the nests) must have had a hen meeting and informed them that we keep a tight ship and after these first eggs everyone figured out the nest boxes
One hold out is the ee so she might take longer. She seems very large bodied so who knows what she is mixed with. She has a black pigment. The girls hatch date is 8/8/12 with the first egg at 19 1/2 weeks.

 

[Melabella]

I had a shell less egg on the roosts followed the next day with another soft shelled. I thought it was the same pullet until I figured out it was different girls. We now have 4 out of 6 laying most days. I guess the first two laying (in the nests) must have had a hen meeting and informed them that we keep a tight ship and after these first eggs everyone figured out the nest boxes
One hold out is the ee so she might take longer. She seems very large bodied so who knows what she is mixed with. She has a black pigment. The girls hatch date is 8/8/12 with the first egg at 19 1/2 weeks.

That is pretty darn good at 19 1/2 weeks! What breeds are they? Those EE's do take longer I have read.