Chickens, and things related

[ihookem]

I,m getting 5 egg layers in a month. They will be 18 weeks old by then. I was wondering how much the feed cost for egg layers. I never thought to check today, but I checked 24% protien for meat birds and it's 26 bucks a hundred. It's really getting high. How much are you guys paying for feed? Later, ihookem.

 

[tony123]

I'm getting 20% for $13 per 50 pounds at TSC here in town.

I've got six egg layers (17 weeks old) that free range about 50% of the time. My first bag lasted about 15 weeks and am 2 weeks into the second. So $1 a week when they were younger. I'm estimating it to even out at somewhere between $1 and $2 per week. So they pay for themselves if we get a dozen eggs.

I do tend to keep them hungry so they forage good.

 

[Tororider]

Price seems about right but I do as much as I can to offset that. I will put gass clippings, weeds, table scraps, etc in there for them, since they can't free range on my 40'x120' suburban lot. Bags are lasting a long time.

I went out to make sure the girls were on the highest perch at about 10:30, turn the corner around the garage and I see something move. I stop dead and watch, sure enough a skunk was walking around back there. I backed around the corner and took off for the house. Not worth getting sprayed to make sure the girls are where I want them.

 

[Tororider]

The last two days I have gotten two eggs right in the next box. Happy days are here! Now I have to get the four that I kept of my first hatch out of the garage and out to my bil's. One of the roosters started trying to crow, key word : trying. I would like to get them out there this week before he learns what he is doing. That would also allow me to use the bigger brooder for the nine I have in the basement and get those ones out to the garage as well. Fun times.

 

[4720 OWNER]

My girls have decided it is molting time, so egg production is way down,but is guess they deserve the break after all the hot weather we have had. Hawks have been out more as well, even the roosters (free rangers) have been quiet when they are out. Lawn cuttings are nice for the nesters, the eggs are cleaner, but sometimes stained green.

 

[bmac]

We've Got Eggs!!!! My daughter left for camp yesterday so my wife checked on the chickens this morning. One of the cochin hens was in the nest box (first we've seen of this). After a minute or so, she flew out and my wife discoverd 2 eggs had been laid. We don't know if both were laid by the same hen or if we have 2 layers. Recall that these are bantams so the eggs are real small.

BTW, how long can eggs sit in a hot coop and still be safe to eat? Also, I've heard that you don't need to refridgerate fresh eggs. That doesn't seem right to me. What sez the chicken brain trust here?

Here's a couple of photos. One shows a store-bought egg for size comparison.

 

[Tororider]

I have been told that eggs in the store are already a couple weeks old by the time they get there. I think you can leave your eggs out on the counter for 5-7 days safely. Easiest way to check is to float the eggs, if they stay sunk they are good, if they stand up they are good, if they float, they are not good. Hope that helps.

 

[dooleysm]

My wife's grandpa has a bunch of chickens. They collect eggs daily, but leave them out on the covered porch until someone takes them. It's not unusual for eggs to be out for a week or more.

I believe that if a hen is going to hatch eggs she's waits a week or so before sitting, so she can lay a clutch of eggs. Those eggs certainly don't go bad.

Congrats on the eggs, mine are still probably a month or two away from laying, and I'm looking forward to getting something back in return for all my feed.

 

[PineRidge]

I have been told that eggs in the store are already a couple weeks old by the time they get there. I think you can leave your eggs out on the counter for 5-7 days safely. Easiest way to check is to float the eggs, if they stay sunk they are good, if they stand up they are good, if they float, they are not good. Hope that helps.

If you have the refrigerator room I would think it prudent to keep them cold since it slows bacteria formation, If the grocery store had two sections for displaying their eggs, one refrigerated, and one at store ambient temperature I know which pile most folks would be picking them up from. Am I missing something here are eggs like aging cheese or something?

 

[tony123]

Okay....I need to get in gear and build my nesting boxes! My girls are 17 weeks now, so not far behind.