Many hens few eggs

[baymule]

Each hatchery has their own cross and name, it keeps us confused. LOL Just go for it.

 

[CrealCritter]

Just cracked two freshly laid eggs in the fry pan. The shells are pretty thin in comparison to what they we're back during the summer. Now I suspect I need to feed them more calcium (crushed oyster shells). I'll pick up a bag next time I'm at the farm store.

 

[Mini Horses]

Personally, I just don't like the thought of totally changing the flock every other year. It's too much effort to butcher, etc. Besides, I like my chickens & mixed birds.

I have a flock of RIRs that are calm and huge. Bought from a breeder. Now, they do not lay the largest egg -- disappointed. But they are broody and easy to manage. In past have enjoyed BOs & BRs. I will add more of those this year once I find an acceptable flock from which to buy.

A couple of years ago I bought some expensive chicks from My Pet Chicken, "super blues". Cross breeds...they won't tell what but obviously some blue egg & leghorns. Mine never gave me the darker colored eggs I wanted (just pale blue) BUT, they have proven themselves as layers of large eggs, consistently. Most have the flight of leghorns, are excellent foragers and, oddly, most have the genetic broodiness from the "blu layers". They have been excellent mother hens. This year I will put 5 of them with my pure roo (Americana) for attempting to produce the blue egg shells I want. He & the Marans are giving me lovely greens. Yeah, just a "fun" thing and customers love them!

This old lady can "play" with her crazy flocks.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Black sex links matter.

Say what???????

 

[Mini Horses]

It's official. Two hens insisted on setting early Fall. They ended with ONE chick each They are both pullets!!





Plus, some hens are beginning to lay again. About 5 are regular now but, the egg shells tell me others are starting. There's a nice reason to enjoy those different colors.

 

[milkmansdaughter]

CC, some of my golden comets. We have 5.

The four on the right are golden comets. The camera made the one on the far right look yellow but is actually red and white. Apparently they are a favorite for beginners and with the Amish.

 

[Mini Horses]

They are great layers...due to the leghorn in them? Sadly, they "lay themselves to death". Supposedly good for 2 years but, I just lost my last of 6 this year. She was 4 1/2. Others left last year and year before. So, definitely not the lifespan of some. They were very non aggressive birds.

 

[CrealCritter]

CC, some of my golden comets. We have 5. View attachment 9381
The four on the right are golden comets. The camera made the one on the far right look yellow but is actually red and white. Apparently they are a favorite for beginners and with the Amish.

Thanks @milkmansdaughter
Are they good egg layers, calm and gentle? My grand daughters love chickens and like to pick them up and carry them around. I really can't have mean chickens and is the main reason I ditched my RIRs for BOs.

 

[Rammy]

I think Im gonna get rid of these lakenvelders. Little bleepers attack my pants when I go feed them. Also, they lay a little white egg. I didnt realize their eggs were so small. Thought they would be at least medium size. Not enough meat on them to make it worth processing them.
Ordered some red sex links, barred hollands, and some jersey giants.

 

[CrealCritter]

I think Im gonna get rid of these lakenvelders. Little bleepers attack my pants when I go feed them. Also, they lay a little white egg. I didnt realize their eggs were so small. Thought they would be at least medium size. Not enough meat on them to make it worth processing them.
Ordered some red sex links, barred hollands, and some jersey giants.

Good for you I moved from a town in North Carolina that had a city ordinance of no livestock in city limits (they considered chickens, live stock) to the middle of nowhere in southern IL. I just couldn't imagine not having chickens and turkeys around aymore.