Sick Chicken...?

[irvingj]

Our egg production has slowly been increasing. It's been between 7 and 9 eggs per day for the last week or two, but yesterday, for the first time, we got 10 eggs out of 10 chickens. I also use a CFL on a timer; on at 5AM, then off at 6:30, back on 4:30 to 6PM.

Going through the process of setting grandson (8 yrs old, 2nd grade) up to sell a few dozen to neighbors. Should be a good experience for him.

Miss Wyandotte still seems OK, no problems in any of the others; guess I got lucky.

Cat has learned not to attack (to kill) our birds, but still likes to stalk & "play" with them.... he's even gone into the henhouse a couple times when the girls are out and the door's open. The chickens sort of tolerate him.

 

[firefighter9208]

Yesterday I got 10 eggs out of my 15 hens. I consider that pretty good for the middle of the winter. Most people can't believe that they are even laying this time of year. When I tell them about the light they say, "Oh, I didn't know that".

I figure if I get 10/15 their production will pick up when the days get longer and it gets warmer. Of course I never expect 100% production anyway.

My 2 year old loves to stand in their pen and throw them crushed corn. He says, "I feed chick chicks". Abby, my 7 year old, loves to pick them up and play with them. That is when they will let her catch them.

Your chickens should be fine while gone on vacation. Do you have someone to pick up the eggs. I don't like to leave them in the nest boxes. Might promote "sitting".


Chris

 

[dooleysm]

I love it when mine go broody. I always give them some eggs to sit on. They do a wonderful job raising the chicks, much easier on me.

 

[Patriotic Stabilist]

I don't have roosters so wouldn't do any good. Might get one for awhile someday and let some sit and raise their own chicks.