Virginia

[pysankigirl]

did you get him!!!???!!!

 

[HaplessRunner]

With the late molt this year, my egg production dropped dramatically from ~14/ to 4-7/day from the week before Thanksgiving until the week before Christmas for 20 layers. Now with some new pullets adding their eggs on the others kicking in I am getting 15-22 eggs per day from 25 layers. Looks like the ladies are already anticipating spring!

 

[Maggiesdad]

Yes, he's now in a better place - where he doesn't have to worry about me, or dogs, or whether to take one chicken or FIVE!

RIp, Mr Fox.

 

[Maggiesdad]

With the late molt this year, my egg production dropped dramatically from ~14/ to 4-7/day from the week before Thanksgiving until the week before Christmas for 2 layers. Now with some new pullets adding their eggs on the others kinking in I am getting 15-22 eggs per day from 25 layers. Looks like the ladies are already anticipating spring!

Are you using lights?

 

[HaplessRunner]

Are you using lights?

Only red heat lamps during this coldest period of weather. Otherwise for the most part they are not used regularly.

Even with the red lamps my three oldest cream legbar cockerels got pretty bad cases of frotstbite on their combs, wattles, and earlobes. None of the other hens, pullets, other younger cockerls or other roosters had any frostbite at all.

 

[MontanaDolphin]

My girls are still under a year old, so haven't gone through their first molt yet...and even their egg production has gone down dramatically. I really do think it's the cold temps, because before we got hit with the arctic blast, I was still getting 6-7 eggs a day from my 8 girls. During our cold spell, I wasn't getting more than 5 a day...mostly 3 or 4. Then Friday I got 7 and yesterday I got 8, so it looks like it's picking up again. So yeah, I really think it was the cold...and before I didn't think temperature was a factor, only daylight.

 

[Maggiesdad]

My girls are still under a year old, so haven't gone through their first molt yet...and even their egg production has gone down dramatically. I really do think it's the cold temps, because before we got hit with the arctic blast, I was still getting 6-7 eggs a day from my 8 girls. During our cold spell, I wasn't getting more than 5 a day...mostly 3 or 4. Then Friday I got 7 and yesterday I got 8, so it looks like it's picking up again. So yeah, I really think it was the cold...and before I didn't think temperature was a factor, only daylight.

Oh yeah! There's definitely more than one factor!

For us CVa'ians, right around Feb 10th is the magic date - eggs go BAM! Mark it on your calendar, hang in there, and let us know when the big flush comes!

The older I get, the easier it is to feel the pulse of the seasons...

 

[Maggiesdad]

Only red heat lamps during this coldest period of weather. Otherwise for the most part they are not used regularly.

Even with the red lamps my three oldest cream legbar cockerels got pretty bad cases of frotstbite on their combs, wattles, and earlobes. None of the other hens, pullets, other younger cockerls or other roosters had any frostbite at all.

You ever sneak out and check on them late at night? The girls sleep with their heads under their wings. The old cocks are the watchdogs, that's why their points get nipped. They squeal a warning when you come messing around the coop.

Bob B. said one way to keep the comb nice for showing was to slip out and stick the rooster in a cardboard box overnight... right on the floor of the coop. Then let him out early in the morning. It's a little more labor intensive and hands on than some folks might want, but it's a reminder that there's more than one way to skin a cat.

 

[pysankigirl]

Maggiesdad...could you come over here and take care of ours???!!!???

I just lost another chicken. down to 35. pissing me off.

 

[pysankigirl]

Feb 10 huh...cant wait! I am only getting a couple eggs a day.