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It has been seven weeks since Thelma laid an egg. On Friday, I was surprised by the discovery of an egg in her nest as she stood up. I had quit going in and looking in the nest. I know this will not continue, but I am rejoicing because I will have a good egg for breakfast. I bought eggs at the store, but just won't eat them.
She is three-years-old and it is cold and darker. In the summer I was getting about five eggs each week from her. Lucy is too young to lay and Louise has retired.
Your turn
Have your chickens stopped laying for the winter and surprised you with an egg? Other than light and sufficient protein, do you have any ideas for improving production? How about a good talk for hens? I can line them up and give a pep talk.
I grew up with chook (chicken) and duck eggs.We took their goodness of colour freshness and flavor for granted. Now I have to buy them. The carton reads Ex-large eggs, yet these would be about medium size to the ones we used to have. Its the same with good old cows milk. What we buy in plastic bottles today is not like our jersey cows rich milk. I feel sad for people who have never tasted the authentic.. they were good day.
ReplyDeleteCrystal Mary,
DeleteIt is sad not to have the better things from the past. I know the eggs from the store lack all the nutrition and probably the cows' milk, too, of food in the past.
I bought large eggs at the store. I don't think any of my hens have laid such small eggs. That was a real disappointment.
When we were kids my mom used to tell us to go out and squeeze them when they slowed down. Ha, ha. Ours are doing well in the egg laying department. We keep them warm, dry and well fed. They are a little spoiled. :)
ReplyDeleteThrifty Mom,
DeleteWell, I had a long and hearty laugh over you kids being sent to squeeze chickens.
Mine did well the first two winters. This year, nothing. They are not overly warm, but they are well-fed. They stay dry most of the time. Last year, it seemed they relished being wet.
There is no way I can afford to get them a warmer house. Actualy they just live in a Rubbermaid box. They first year, they slept in the open. Silly chickens.
Mine are spoiled, but I suppose being old is the factor here along with the length of days.
Thanks
Cheap dog food. Something about it gets my hens jump started when they start slacking. Glad to hear Thelma got her groove back.
ReplyDeletePhelan,
ReplyDeleteI thought it was cat food! No wonder they did not even eat the catfood. I had some catfood to test, so I thought I would try it out for the hens. I put out one handfull and they avoided it. Thanks for setting me straight.
I started a bunch of chicks later in the summer and they started laying in November. It's cold and snowy, but we have light in the chicken barn and they are laying like crazy. I almost have trouble finding enough people to buy the extras. Just wait, come spring, they will probably molt or something and not lay LOL
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are having fresh eggs all winter. If I had a barn, I would have a light. Mine never did quit for a molt. They had sort of continuous molt, a feather hanging here and there all the time. Some hens do that, I hear. What kind of chickens did you get?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis was a duplicate comment that I am removing.
DeleteWhen I chose my chickens this time around, I specifically chose them for their ability to lay all year round without artificial lighting. I have Araucaunas and ISA Browns. The most the go is 3 days without laying but usually I get 3 eggs a day from 4 hens. 2 brown and 1 blue. Other breeds typically will stop laying in shorter winter months if light is not provided.
ReplyDeletePTR.
ReplyDeleteThese RIR mix should do the same. However, I just bought chicks from a farmer. They have been faithful layers until now. I may buy from the feed store next time. It would be nice to get a blue egg. Thanks for the advice on those two breeds.