Washingtonians

[OvertheHenHouse]

So I just went out to check on the birds and let the layers out to free range, which I did. Then I was walking over to the Orps coop area, and came across a HUGE pile of feathers. I'm so sad! I let out my Lav Orps yesterday, and something took one of my two split black hens!

At least I still have a pair left, but why one of the splits?!?!!?! Ugh. DH closed the birds in last night when he went to feed the goats, so he didn't notice the one missing as he just closed their gate. So now I am rethinking even working on the project. I might sell the whole flock and that would leave me more room for English Orps or BLRW's. Bummer.


All the chicks that have hatched are doing well. However, the Marans that had pipped died. I hear others cheeping in there, but no pips yet. Worried about them!

I'm so sorry - that's terrible news bout your hen. Keeping fingers crossed for pips!

 

[OvertheHenHouse]

Sorry to hear about your hen.


Last night I was over at the stables and I hear Quincy barking like crazy. I came back the house and lucky I had my bright light in my pocket. I got to where Quincy was to find that he had a street rat cornered and hanging from the fence by it's tail. I took qwik action and the score is now me and Quincy 1. Possum DEAD. that dirty street rat won't be gettin none of my chickens ! ! ! ! or eggs.

Nicely done! I hope Quincy got an extra doggie treat

 

[OvertheHenHouse]

I asked for a chicken tractor for Christmas. I pulled it out of the shop last weekend. So now the neighbors know. We're getting chickens. I tt zoning. I can have as many chickens and roosters as I want, as long as they are 40 feet from the property line, and have a sq. foot of space.

I thought this would be pretty enough to move around the front yard.

Welcome! Love your chicken tractor! As for your neighbor feeding the preds, there was a link - I think it was even posted on this thread? - about the diseases that racoons can carry that are deadly to people. But just for human and house pet safety alone - why in the world would they feed possums and racoons?

Anyway, glad you joined. It's a great group of people -

 

[Chubby Chicken]

Broody is fine. I am going to keep a laying flock as well.
It's either silkies or cochins.

I wasn't even considering silkies until I saw this.

 

[KMoran]

Hello yall, Quick question.... Is it normal for a chicken to lay soft shell eggs when they first start to lay? I have 4 layin hens 3 Buff Orpingtons and 1 Rhode Island Red and never had a soft shell before. I believe my daughters Amaracana layed her first egg yesterday because it looks different then any other egg we have ever gotten and then today I found a soft shell... Not broken at all a whole egg just soft.

Should I be worried?

Thanks Bunches

 

[Ogress]

Hello yall, Quick question.... Is it normal for a chicken to lay soft shell eggs when they first start to lay? I have 4 layin hens 3 Buff Orpingtons and 1 Rhode Island Red and never had a soft shell before. I believe my daughters Amaracana layed her first egg yesterday because it looks different then any other egg we have ever gotten and then today I found a soft shell... Not broken at all a whole egg just soft.

Should I be worried?

Thanks Bunches

Quite a few of mine atarted off laying soft-shells, but maybe only 1 or 2 per bird who did so.

 

[TheReidHomestead]

Quote:

Yes, I've had this happen too. When they just start laying, anything can happen!

 

[TheReidHomestead]

We had a little splash baby Marans hatch all by her little old self!!!! (Hoping it's a her anyway!!!)

Hoping she encourages at least one or two of her friends to come out and join her!!!!

 

[Kaneke]

[COLOR=0000CD]Hello yall, Quick question.... Is it normal for a chicken to lay soft shell eggs when they first start to lay? I have 4 layin hens  3 Buff Orpingtons and 1 Rhode Island Red and never had a soft shell before. I believe my daughters Amaracana layed her first egg yesterday because it looks different then any other egg we have ever gotten and then today I found a soft shell... Not broken at all a whole egg just soft.  Should I be worried?[/COLOR]

[COLOR=0000CD]Thanks Bunches[/COLOR]

my lot laid two or three of these when they started too -- and actually the eggs were fine --- I lifted them carefully with a slotted spoon, rinsed them off , and they cooked up nicely in the pan ...

the rooster did peck one into a blob ... before I could shoo him away from it (that one landed on the sandy floor of the coop, the others were in the shredded-paper-filled nest box) ... that was back when I was running out to the coop any time I heard the Egg Song ....

 

[Zgoatlady]

So I just went out to check on the birds and let the layers out to free range, which I did. Then I was walking over to the Orps coop area, and came across a HUGE pile of feathers. I'm so sad! I let out my Lav Orps yesterday, and something took one of my two split black hens!

At least I still have a pair left, but why one of the splits?!?!!?! Ugh. DH closed the birds in last night when he went to feed the goats, so he didn't notice the one missing as he just closed their gate. So now I am rethinking even working on the project. I might sell the whole flock and that would leave me more room for English Orps or BLRW's. Bummer.


All the chicks that have hatched are doing well. However, the Marans that had pipped died. I hear others cheeping in there, but no pips yet. Worried about them!

I am so sorry.
I think Id try and help the ones that are cheeping in there just put a little hole in the eggs to see.