Weight gain

[Daddy rooster]

I don't know.they only will lay in the first one.so that's what they do.

 

[rjohns39]

4 stalls, 3 hens...why the need for waiting?

For what it's worth, mine do it too. I have four two bird nest boxes in various locations based upon housing. And they all line up in front of one. And its not always the same one. It's like what ever box the head hen picks is the box of the day. And they are also good complainers while waiting in line. It does make egg collection easier.

 

[Daddy rooster]

Right.my girls get real fussy having to wait.but like yours mine follow the leader also.

 

[Daddy rooster]

What I don't like about this site is I just can't find where to start a new thread.i can find start conversation but then I have to type in you with.i don't know anyone .I want to discuss incubating

 

[bobbi-j]

Chickens like to lay in the same place

I have 3roos an 3hens 6months old.they are free range.they all are beautiful an they look fat.they eat corn an scratch an pellets an all my leftover.theyre breast just won't fill out.is it because they are free range or so young.they eat all day.what to do

Your pullets are typical in wanting to all lay in the same nest. Maybe they figure if everyone else is laying there, it must be safe. Who knows what goes on in the mind of a chicken? I do believe it's that instinct, though.

They will not get huge breasts like a Cornish x meat bird. Layers just don't fill out that way. As far as keeping warm in the winter, if they are allowed to naturally acclimate to the conditions (meaning NO HEAT in their coop), a healthy chicken will grow enough down and feathers to keep warm. The feathers trap their body heat. All they need is a well-ventilated draft-free coop that protects them from the elements. You want the ventilation to help moisture from breathing and pooping to escape the coop. You don't want wind blowing directly on your birds, though, or they will get cold. The wind ruffling the feathers causes the heat to escape. Where do you live, and how cold does it usually get there? I'm in MN where it can get to teens and 20's below zero for days at a time. I don't use heat in my coop. When I first started with chickens, I would close the coop up tight and hang a heat lamp in there. I had more problems with frostbite at warmer temperatures than I do now. One thing I do is try to avoid large combed chickens. They tend to get frostbite no matter what you do.

I am concerned with the number of cockerels and pullets you have. If they haven't hit sexual maturity yet, beware. Once it happens they will likely harass your pullets to no end. Free ranging probably helps as your pullets are more likely able to get away from them. When I had a 50/50 ratio, it got so bad that the pullets couldn't eat, drink or dust bathe because they were constantly being chased by the cockerels. And your males will reach maturity first, so that will be even harder on your pullets as they will not be ready nor willing.

 

[Daddy rooster]

My roos are way ready.it seem like one right after the other is hopping on one girl or the other with out giving her a chance to shake it off from first go round.i want 30 more hens as 1roo can accommodate 10 each.im trying to incubate now an been looking for other hens to buy but can't find any.it don't get cold here,were in the foothills of NC .I've just spoiled them .I live by myself an they are my company.i need to stop before my treatment of them effects their ability to acclimate.theyre my babies.they use to sleep on my pillow with me when they were tiny.

 

[Daddy rooster]

To be honest about it,they come in an sit on the foot of my bed an watch movies with me.wow huh??I put an old shower curtain down there to lay on but I fall asleep when I wake up there on my head an everywhere else.yea,just a lil crazy...

 

[rjohns39]

What I don't like about this site is I just can't find where to start a new thread.i can find start conversation but then I have to type in you with.i don't know anyone .I want to discuss incubating

Go to the incubating and hatching forum (you can just click the link I left) and click the button "start thread". I also encourage you to checkout the hatching 101 Article. Sally also has an active educational thread.

 

[rjohns39]

To be honest about it,they come in an sit on the foot of my bed an watch movies with me.wow huh??I put an old shower curtain down there to lay on but I fall asleep when I wake up there on my head an everywhere else.yea,just a lil crazy...

We have folks out here who keep house and apartment chickens, so to most of us that's classic normal behavior. It's the non-chicken folk who are a bit off.

 

[Daddy rooster]

How do I become a BYC friend?