Here we go again! Early this morning I found two thin broken eggs that were laid on the poop tray during the night, but this time by a couple of our just turned 18 week old pullets. A few minutes ago when our Dominique in the nest box laying and a Silkie pullet (Snowy) decided they would both fit. The Silkie just moved the Dominique right over and sat right down. The Dominique (Domino) looked like she was appalled! Chickens are so funny! We only have a couple of milk crates in the barn coop. Looks like we better get finished with the large nest box set. We have at least 4 standard pullets with very red combs and 2 Silkie pullets that are also about 18 weeks old. First Silkie egg. It almost fits through the wires on the basket.
Quote: LOL! I didn't think they would lay so early. I figured at least 23-25 weeks. What a surprise!
I think the chickens are trying to tell us something! I let one breed out at a time and rotate days. A couple of weeks ago the Russian Orloffs refused to go back into their coop without having to be rounded up. I was ticked at them because they had never given me problems before. Then the Buff Orps decided to give me an hour and a half of exercise before my youngest child (still calm unlike a very frustrated me) fanned a hand at them and in they went! No more range time for a while. I wish I didn't mind losing money to predators so that free ranging 100% would be possible but paying for all the feed etc. to keep poultry healthy means my family would like to reap the benefits instead
