Hi all,
I've been lurking for several months and finally joined so I could subscribe to a couple of threads. Thanks for all the wonderful info on this site!
Last fall I inherited four hens from a friend who had to move and couldn't take his chickens with him. There are two reds of questionable origin, a barred rock, and an easter egger. We are slowly getting to know each other.
Went away for two days and came back to find the smallest hen all bloody. The person taking care of the chickens never noticed. (!!!!) Looks like the hen broke a blood feather and the others started picking her raw, so she has been separated from the bullies for a few weeks while she heals. Turns out she's my best layer, producing 4-5 eggs/week. Who knew??
The hens are all around 2 years old. Now that I have a portion of the coop/run sectioned off, I'm going to separate them one at a time so I can see for sure who is/isn't laying. I'm pretty sure the easter egger is slacking. I haven't had a blue, green or olive egg ever. If she is laying her eggs are brown. Separation will be the only way to find out for sure. The little sneak had me fooled - I thought she was responsible for the lovely pale pink/brown eggs, but those turned out to be from the barred rock. The other day I watched the barred rock hop into an empty nest box. Heard an egg drop. Voila! The barred rock had just laid a light pinkish/brown egg.
Looks like it's time to read the slacking easter egger some nice stew recipes. Maybe she will shape up. If not, we'll be having a yummy chicken dinner just as soon as I get up to speed on how to process a chicken. Lots of info to absorb. It's going to take a while.
I've been lurking for several months and finally joined so I could subscribe to a couple of threads. Thanks for all the wonderful info on this site!
Last fall I inherited four hens from a friend who had to move and couldn't take his chickens with him. There are two reds of questionable origin, a barred rock, and an easter egger. We are slowly getting to know each other.
Went away for two days and came back to find the smallest hen all bloody. The person taking care of the chickens never noticed. (!!!!) Looks like the hen broke a blood feather and the others started picking her raw, so she has been separated from the bullies for a few weeks while she heals. Turns out she's my best layer, producing 4-5 eggs/week. Who knew??
The hens are all around 2 years old. Now that I have a portion of the coop/run sectioned off, I'm going to separate them one at a time so I can see for sure who is/isn't laying. I'm pretty sure the easter egger is slacking. I haven't had a blue, green or olive egg ever. If she is laying her eggs are brown. Separation will be the only way to find out for sure. The little sneak had me fooled - I thought she was responsible for the lovely pale pink/brown eggs, but those turned out to be from the barred rock. The other day I watched the barred rock hop into an empty nest box. Heard an egg drop. Voila! The barred rock had just laid a light pinkish/brown egg.
Looks like it's time to read the slacking easter egger some nice stew recipes. Maybe she will shape up. If not, we'll be having a yummy chicken dinner just as soon as I get up to speed on how to process a chicken. Lots of info to absorb. It's going to take a while.
from Ohio. So glad you joined. 
