Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[ValerieJ]

Actually we have quite a breeze going here. A bit cooler than it has been. It's 72 out but feels much cooler to me.

 

[Smokerbill]

I'm getting a delivery of some things I need from Walmart later today. I really like the Walmart+ free delivery on grocery orders of $35 or more. If I were to drive there it would cost me 2 gallons of gas and 2 hours of time. Delivered, the only cost is the tip. $5 this time.

The pullets gave me three eggs so far today. They're now laying enough for me to have an egg meal every day if I want.

 

[ValerieJ]

I'm getting a delivery of some things I need from Walmart later today. I really like the Walmart+ free delivery on grocery orders of $35 or more. If I were to drive there it would cost me 2 gallons of gas and 2 hours of time. Delivered, the only cost is the tip. $5 this time.

The pullets gave me three eggs so far today. They're now laying enough for me to have an egg meal every day if I want.

Sounds like a good deal.

I'm surprised your older gals aren't laying any eggs at all. My buff orpingtons, who I believe are the same age, are still laying. Not every day of course but pretty regularly. We don't keep an egg count daily but we certainly have enough to share with neighbors.

 

[Smokerbill]

I think their reproductive systems are just worn out. They started laying at 14 to 16 weeks old, and had lots of problems right from the start... softshell, shell-less and brittle eggs.

They laid LOTS of double yolkers for a few months. Once things straightened out most of them laid eggs nearly every day, and those were x-large or jumbo most of the time. I think I calculated something around 90 to 95% daily laying.

I believe they were bred to lay lots of eggs early on at the expense of a long laying career. I lost 3 or 4 of the eight hens to reproductive problems.

The New Hampshires are starting off slower, with little pullet eggs at first, and not every day. Not a single double yolker or imperfect shell either, so far. I think they'll be good layers for years.

 

[pennyJo1960]

See fact is the hatchery's breed to lay.
It is hard on them not normal. The ones I buy from a contact live 8 years still laying maybe 2 a week.

 

[ValerieJ]

I have had some chickens live a long time here. I have hens 4 to 8 years old now. Most of my hens are old. lol I got them all at Wilco, so I guess I've been lucky. Could also be the orpington breeds. My RIR's did not live so long. All my others have been an orpington of one kind or another.

My Australorp pullets are still laying very small eggs.

 

[Smokerbill]

I got the Barred Rocks from Kelso Wilco early 2023, and the New Hampshire pullets at the Battleground Wilco this spring. I think that no matter where you get them it's a roll of the dice.

I also bought two RIR pullets at the Kelso Wilco this spring, but one was a cockerel which is fine with me. My other two New Hampshire cockerels were the survivors of a shipment of 16 from McMurray hatchery. One is a pretty boy. The other is kind of ugly. LOL

 

[Hinotori]

The hatchery EEs ive had have lived long productive lives. Averaged 7 years. Several have made it to 10 or more.

Rocks had heart issues. Oldest made it to 5.

New Hampshires made it to 4.

Brahamas made it to 6.

My silkies seem to average about 8. Apparently I have an age blindness issue in them somewhere. I've had a few old ones go blind. One right now is 9 and can see a little but not enough to safely get back in the house. Im big enough to see and she will make her way to me when Im putting out feed. Can't really tell where the food bowl is but is used to me lining her up to it. She has less issue with the treadle feeder. I had to lock it because of rats figuring it out even with the lid weight.

 

[ValerieJ]

The RIRs lived about 3 or 4 years, but actually the first was lost to a predator. I only had two. Had 3 leghorns and they only lived a couple years. One is still with me at about 3, but she is not that healthy. All of my orpingtons have lived much longer than that. Usually at least 5 years.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Okay I bought a air fryer plain old one off Costco.com
Gad one gave it away as for us three was not big enough.
Now it just us two we can use one days it is too hot to cook.