The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

So if ducks and geese can spread it does that mean you have to immunize them also?

They can spread it by carrying it on themselves like humans would. No they are not vaccinated

 

[Allysha1990]

I have a question. If I put fake eggs in my girls nesting boxes, will it encourage them to lay? I have 4 hens but only one is laying, and it seems to only be every other day that she lays me an egg. They are 33 weeks old.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

I have a question. If I put fake eggs in my girls nesting boxes, will it encourage them to lay? I have 4 hens but only one is laying, and it seems to only be every other day that she lays me an egg. They are 33 weeks old.

no, the fake eggs are mainly to teach where to lay. Some use them to try and break the habit of pecking eggs too as a wooden egg can't feel good to a pecking hen.

 

[Allysha1990]

no, the fake eggs are mainly to teach where to lay. Some use them to try and break the habit of pecking eggs too as a wooden egg can't feel good to a pecking hen.

****. Does anyone know anything that might make them want to start laying? They have laying pellets in their diet, but they don't seem to like them very much :S

 

[armorfirelady]

 


no, the fake eggs are mainly to teach where to lay.  Some use them to try and break the habit of pecking eggs too as a wooden egg can't feel good to a pecking hen.

****. Does anyone know anything that might make them want to start laying? They have laying pellets in their diet, but they don't seem to like them very much :S

It's winter time their laying is delayed. Less light this time of year. My BCM just started laying at 36 weeks. Others who hatched theirs earlier have had them lay at 25 weeks.

Just need to have patience and they will lay when they are ready

I have had ping pong balls and golf balls in their nesting boxes for months, Sophie still thinks her *nest* is better. Maybe once the big girls are done molting and start laying she will follow their lead

 

[Scott H]

Quote:
Wind chill tomorrow is supposed to be -20....they don't stay in the coop...when the door opens out they go. We'll see what happens tomorrow. If I was home (I leave for work @ 3:00AM) i would lock them in. I guess they have a choice.

 

[wantedman66]

It is normal for them to slow down or completely stop during the winter,they usually molt at this time also.If you want them too lay you can add artificial lighting,I prefer to let nature take it's course this way it gives them a chance to rest,some will still lay through the winter though.

 

[Allysha1990]

It is normal for them to slow down or completely stop during the winter,they usually molt at this time also.If you want them too lay you can add artificial lighting,I prefer to let nature take it's course this way it gives them a chance to rest,some will still lay through the winter though.

We have a light on a timer for them. I am not sure they are molting though. They don't seem to have any feathers missing, and there are no feathers in the coop. Do they always molt in the winter?

 

[jlynnet]

I have some that are laying like crazy without added light and others not so much. I only put the light on in the evening so we can see what we're doing to feed them. When the skies are darker than usual during the day, I'll put the light on to encourage them to go outside. If it's dark inside many of them will just assume it's dark outside. If I give them some daylight during the day, they go out and peck the ground.

I had a hawk try to get my chickens a couple of days ago. I was out with them too. It landed about ten feet from me. They all ran inside. less than 5 minutes of play time in the yard.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Scott, I like them to have a choice. They know where the coop is and will go in if they want.

Only thing I worry about is if some of them are mean and keep others out but I haven't heard you say you have any problems with that.