| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| frillyaprons |
Posted - Jul 24 2007 : 4:18:57 PM
I went out to the hen house this afternoon and found my first egg! I have 6 young hens but so far none of them have fessed up to who left it! |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Carol Sue |
Posted - Sep 09 2007 : 8:15:40 PM
Oh how I miss chickens, and fresh eggs, I loved to listen to their clucking and watch them. It was joyuos, maybe next spring.
Enjoying life. |
| katiedid |
Posted - Sep 09 2007 : 6:52:40 PM
We bought the Egg&Meat combo from McMurray's in May, it includes 15 meat chicken...cornish rock X, and 10 heavy breed egg layers, their choice, so I am not exactly sure what breeds my girls are, I know I have an all black an Asrolorp I think, and a Buff Orpington, a couple that are black and white speckled, a couple Aracaunas...anyhoo, we haven't gotten any eggs yet, But *I can't wait*...
We also have 12 banty's they are so cute!! I love their little feathery feet...our chickens are free most of the day, so I hope they will go home to lay...
I really enjoy having chickens. Their little noises and the way they move their head when they cluck to each other...so fun. I love that a couple of them are such pets. One chicken that we inherited with our house "Gloria" comes to her name and let's Chloe (my four year old) push her around in the doll stroller. She pecks her eggs, though. I hope she won't peck at the other hen's.
Kate |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Sep 09 2007 : 2:12:42 PM
How egg sighting! Everytime I pick up an egg I thank the girls for the sharing and hard work. I sure am glad that I do not have to drop an egg each day!!
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
| therealshari |
Posted - Sep 08 2007 : 7:14:22 PM
Whoo hooo! Time for an update... one of our young pullets gave us an egg this afternoon.
Tomorrow I'm promised we'll get the final nest box design built. We're going to place the nest boxes on the outside of their south-facing wall with openings cut through and a roost in front. The lid will be hinged so Mom can easily gather her eggs.
This IS her project, even though I help. All the egg money is hers, too.
Shari Thomas
farmer, web copywriter, blogger
Shari's Gone Country
Vote for me at "Blog for a year" |
| mellaisbella |
Posted - Sep 01 2007 : 11:13:25 AM
Here Here!! I do agree about some two leggeds being mre of an air head than chickens. my "girl" are smart...if you don't believe me, just ask me;)
"learn to watch snails" SARK |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Aug 31 2007 : 6:58:32 PM
Hi Fran,
Time can get away from us and it took 6 computer geeks and a month to still not fix my computer. I a fiber geek got it running after they all told me just to purchase another computer.
It is true that animals come to food and they know you are their provider (just like children) but when an animal comes and sits with you even when they find out you are not holding their favorite feed it is true friendship. Chickens get a bad rap that they are mindless but I have found many two leggeds more of an air head then my chickens.
Enjoy those feathered friends and glad to be back.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - Aug 31 2007 : 09:17:17 AM
Oh, I know! We make believe they actually come because they're so crazy about us, but really--we know they expect treats :) I've read the only garden produce they don't like is anything in the onion family, but also found they won't eat arugula. They do like turnip and other greens a lot, and love lettuce. Sometimes it takes a couple of days for them to experiment and decide the new food is fun.
Ann
Sairy Hill Thicket
There is a Redeemer. |
| mellaisbella |
Posted - Aug 31 2007 : 06:00:17 AM
Wow, I didn't realize that I can give my chickens all of those extras. I give them a big yogurt container of "chicken starter" from the feed store in the morning, and then they are free range for the rest of the day. I watch them and they have discovered the pigs. the chikens roam around in the pig pen and pick up the wee bit pf scraps/grain that the pigs haven't eaten. My husband was worried that the pigs would eat the chickens. Well, the chickens have 2 things going for them.....one, the pigs are lazy, and two, chickens can fly!!! I how I love watching my "birdies" as I call them. All I have to do is say, "birdies, birdies, birdies" and they all come running. How cute indeed!!
"learn to watch snails" SARK |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - Aug 30 2007 : 7:28:10 PM
Grace, I do believe your hens love you... they don't poop on your "roost" and they lay lots of eggs for you! I have two more months to wait for eggs, but the girls get corn with worms, watermelon, tomatoes and cucumbers these days.... and lots of mimic chicken talk from me. Oh, they do get proper food along with bugs, etc. in their run. I think watermelon is the favorite add-on. We plan to plant our fall crops on Saturday, with their goodies included. Even with all the reports, I had no idea what fun chickens would be.
Ann
Sairy Hill Thicket
There is a Redeemer. |
| frannie |
Posted - Aug 30 2007 : 10:21:28 AM
yeah!
grace, where in the world have you been? i for one have really missed your post and was beginng to worry about you.
i understand the fritzing computer syndrome, it happened to me too.
please post some of your wonderful stories. i have missed them.
love
fran
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/) |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Aug 30 2007 : 07:57:34 AM
Sorry it has been a while but my computer went weird after the daily storms. Now all the girls are laying so ten eggs a day for me. Lucky lucky me! As for putting young chicks in with older hens I would be very scared to do that. If they where around 8 weeks or more then what you are to do is place them in the coop after the girls have gone to roost in a cage and let them rest the night together then when they get up to eat feed the older girls and let them spend the day with the chicks still in the cage and then only let the chicks out when the hens have gone to roost. This is to let them all get their order straight and no one is fight over food the first day. Also, all the chicks and chickens should be eating the same thing to prevent fighting. Hope that helps.
I think I will go sit in the coop again! Stay well.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
| mellaisbella |
Posted - Aug 30 2007 : 06:16:23 AM
I have leghorns and they are sooooo funny. Sometimes in the mornings, I'll bring my coffeee outside and just watch them. their little heads pecking at the ground. They seem to like being in our apple trees. Some days I can hear them "talking" and I can't see them. Then I look up, and there they are, in the apple trees!!!
I wish I would have gotten more. I only have 11. I should have asked around to my neighbours before I got the chickens 'cuz now all the neighbours want eggs (We are the only farm with livestock around)
Question......can I introduce "baby" chicks to older chickens?
"learn to watch snails" SARK |
| Alee |
Posted - Aug 29 2007 : 1:30:21 PM
I can't wait until I can get chickens some day!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora!
http://home.test-afl.tulix.com/aleeandnora/ |
| Brew Crew |
Posted - Aug 29 2007 : 1:07:08 PM
I think that it depends on the breeds of pullets you have, as to when they will start to lay. For instance, Leghorns (I believe!) will start at around 4-5 months, but the Jersey Giants and Brahmas I got as chicks didn't lay until they were close to 9 months! Also, depends on the time of year. Those first eggs are sooo exciting, aren't they!!
"There is a Happy Dale far, far away. . ." -Arsenic and Old Lace |
| therealshari |
Posted - Aug 29 2007 : 12:31:26 PM
Awesome! We're egg-specting, too. Our little gals were born April 23, so any time now. In fact, one of this weekend's project includes adding walls and roof to the nesting boxes.
We just butchered all but two of our "roo's" last weekend. Would you believe Mom is already asking how soon 'til babies, and we haven't even seen the first egg.
Patience, Mom! Patience! (The real problem is that we promised her she could have all the egg money.)
Shari Thomas
farmer, web copywriter, blogger
Shari's Gone Country
Vote for me at "Blog for a year" |
| mellaisbella |
Posted - Aug 29 2007 : 10:28:46 AM
Hooray for you on your first egg!! I got hens on July 9 (got them at one day old.....too cute!!) Does anyone know when I should egg-spect an egg?
"learn to watch snails" SARK |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Jul 30 2007 : 4:27:23 PM
Ann it is funny because I put in a couple of stools in there just so they could have a variety of things to sit on and they have kindly left one alone next to their antique nesting boxes where they lay their eggs. When I go in and finish the chores, I sit down quitely on the stool and each one will come over to see me. They are still to shy to let me hold them but I have learned that when they are ready they will hop up in my lap.
Remember there is a reason my farm is named the "Funny Farm"
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - Jul 29 2007 : 10:25:04 AM
How exciting! Any more eggs yet? Grace, I have to ask how you sit in the coop... I would have a messy seat if I sat in ours!
Ann
Sairy Hill Thicket
There is a Redeemer. |
| Annab |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 2:36:36 PM
YEA!!
I still get a kick out of finding eggs every afternoon.
chickens are so much fun to watch |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 08:36:36 AM
How egg-citing!!! I finally got hens after being without for over five years. They arrived on the 4th of July and even thou these little girls where to young to lay someone produced an egg that day. I have ten girls and they are all laying now and how great it is to hear their proud clucking after letting go of their little gifts. I am excited that soon I will be also selling the eggs to those who will also appreciate what a wonderful gift they are. I find myself sitting in the coop when I should be sitting and doing paperwork. Enjoy and happy clucking.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
| Maryjane Lee |
Posted - Jul 27 2007 : 09:15:33 AM
Yahooooooo! So very exciting!!!!
Hugs,
Maryjane Lee
The Beehive Cottage~
est. 1971 |
| windypines |
Posted - Jul 26 2007 : 04:53:17 AM
Soooo whats ya goin do with that first egg??? :) Michele |
| Buttercup |
Posted - Jul 25 2007 : 10:06:09 PM
Oh how awsome!!!! Yeah!!!! That is so exciting! I have no clue what I will do when I get my first egg....maybe throw a party?!? lol That is so neat!!!!
Hugz!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Jul 25 2007 : 10:26:32 AM
Good for you, Susan. Congrats!
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
| jcbtxstars |
Posted - Jul 25 2007 : 10:14:30 AM
Farm Fresh Eggs/Egg...there's nothing better... |
