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I did 4 days I brought they home Christmas Day and let them out the Saturday after. Queen bee was the first to come out coaxed with strawberries the other three took about a week to come out. No eggs yet and one started molting in the last couple daysQuote:
Originally Posted by Irving
Did you just get some pullets?
I read about leaving them in the coop to teach them where home was, but never went that route, even though during raising them I kept them in a few different places and would have been justified in doing so. If you're free ranging them you can just toss them outside and they'll figure it out. Sounds like you're past that part though. Have you picked them up and measured (with your fingers) the space between their ass bones? That is generally an indication of them getting ready to lay. I've also read that when they start squatting when you put your hand above them, that they will lay within a week. That was true for my first two chickens, but then I had other ones that started laying and still don't squat. I think they stop laying during molting, but I'm not sure because none of mine have molted yet.
Why don't you get some pictures in here when you have some time.
They are 8 ish months old my mother got a 25 pack from McMurray this spring. She is averaging 1 egg a day right now with 16 hens but she is in the San Luis valley so a balmy -30 on Tuesday. I have 3 black australorps and one Wyandot The eggs will come. There are some major coop design flaws that I did not realize until there where birds in. They will eventually be able to run in the backyard when we are home. Came home to a bunch of dove feathers on the porch today we are 1/4 mile from a creek and I have witnessed a hawk nail a dove in the back yard. That and we have a healthy stray cat population. The GF and I actually rescued and fostered a 6 pack of urban kittens this fall.
I have had hawks dive bomb my chickens and land on the fence, or on the coop, or even on the ground with the chickens. So far I've been lucky and none have been harmed. It's important that they have something to seek shelter under when they are outside.
My silkies are finally laying. About 2 months later than the other birds. About 2/3 the size of normal eggs but they are tasty. Been getting about 8 eggs a day, giving a ton away to family and friends. I know our neighborhood Facebook page people are always asking to buy eggs so it may be time for the kids to explore that route and make a little $$
https://i.imgur.com/pLuotyi.jpg
Here are my ladies all fat and floofy
Floofy....
Naarrrrf
I think that fence/coop would stop gun store break ins :) Well engineered!
-John
Quote:
Originally Posted by iego
Thanks it is designed to keep grabbing paws from being able to reach the ladies. we have a healthy stray cat population and raccoons. Came home to a hawk with a dove in its talons this week as well. Have to keep the predators at bay
Saw a turkey and some geese today. Check out the size of the eggs the geese are laying!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QL...s=w891-h501-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/C9...A=w891-h501-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/E0...=w1113-h626-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iQ...0=w891-h501-no