Comments on: Waiting, Waiting

By: Granny Sue

Granny Sue — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:58:33 +0000

The chickens look like they’ve grown well. You should get eggs soon–some of ours started laying around 4 1/2 months. Standard rule is 6 months, but perhaps some breeds start sooner. With your mixed flock, you’ve get a beautiful mixture of colors on the egg shells, I think. I’m getting light tan to white to dark brown. You have Aracaunas so you’ll also for greens and blues. I don’t think my Aracauna is laying yet–or could turn out to be a rooster!

I saw maybe three roosters in your yard? That will be a problem as they get older–they will fight until they kill each other. Voice of experience here. They may co-exist for a while but eventually it will come to fights and blood. AND the extra roosters eat a lot of extra food, for which you get nothing except 2:30AM wake-up calls as they try to be the frist one to crow in the morning.

By: jan 'n tn

jan 'n tn — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 07:12:26 +0000

I read your blog every day. May I comment on the laying dilemma?
Have you tried adding a 20 to 22 percent protein laying mash in with the feed? It should speed egg production.
I have found that the golf ball does work, as a marker for the hens to start laying in the right places. The nest boxes, not the floor or outside!

By: catslady

catslady — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:03:59 +0000

mmmmm I smell an omelette coming :mrgreen:

By: Shelley

Shelley — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:50:05 +0000

Here’s hoping you get a bountiful supply of eggs and milk soon!!

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:35:49 +0000

I’m sure they will be laying eggs soon. They are just keeping you on your toes!

By: ninepoundhammer

ninepoundhammer — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:50:15 +0000

We currently have one Rhode Island Red pullet, five Ameracauna, and six Barred Rocks. We weren’t expecting them to begin laying for another couple of weeks but, to our surprise, I found that the Red started laying a week ago. The eggs are small for the time being–but it’s a return!

By: mary beth

mary beth — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:16:24 +0000

Banties are so cute. That’s what my grandpa raises.
I sat here reading this this afternoon and thought, dang, Suzanne’s living the Charlotte’s Web life minus the pig. How cool!

By: Kathy R

Kathy R — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:42:44 +0000

Yesterday I decided to get some pictures of our various breeds of chickens pecking in the yard. Without fail, as soon as I framed a great shot – they turned and began pecking in the other direction. I got a lot of pictures. No faces, but lots of butts. Why, oh why won’t they line up for a group shot??

By: Brandy

Brandy — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:30:56 +0000

Here’s to wishing and hoping for eggs!

By: Joanne

Joanne — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:12:56 +0000

Love the butt shot…not quite sure what that says about me though Tell Dookie I feel her pain, it’s always the pretty ones who get all the attention. Go Dookie Thanks for the laugh today Suzanne…I kinda, really, sorta needed that.