OT - Chickens

[Ladipyg]

Nope...but I can tell you there is a huge difference in store bought, factory farmed eggs and those of free range chickens that are allowed to grow naturally on their own schedule, not loaded with growth hormones and antibiotics. The yolks sit much higher up and are a very golden yellow color. I was having a problem in my flower beds with a huge number of grasshoppers eating everything. I just headed my chickens out that way with a big juicy slice of watermelon, their favorite treat. When they were done with that appetizer, they started on the main course, hoppers. By the end of the day, there was hardly a grasshopper to be found. The girls and roosters were so stuffed they could barely waddle back to the barn. What a great form of pest control...good for the chickens too.
I have a road runner nesting in my lilacs in the front yard...I keep away from that area so I don't disturb her. I was surprised to see her catching mice in the field and taking them to her babies...I love to see nature at work.

 

[karenL]

My chickens are now 24 weeks 3 days old and all are producers!
in 3 days (that's when the eggs first appeared) I've received about 22 eggs!
This morning I got 2 medium, 5 large and 1 extra large egg from my 8 chickens!

 

[aleggett321]

We have seven hens, about 9 mos old. all are great layers. our favorite, Stella, is a barred rock. we're also partial to buff orpingtons, they lay giant eggs!

 

[GSMguy]

do eggs from different types of chickens taste different?

Egg taste and texture is more dependent on diet than genetics. Size, shell color and production are driven by genetics. My chicken's eggs taste best in summer when they are eating a more diverse diet. The peaches and grasshoppers peak around the same time and that's when the eggs get really good.

 

[taylor t]

I've got (2) Jersey giants, 3 Rhode Island Reds, 1 bantam frizzle, 1 bantam golden, 1 Astralaurp, and 1 easter egger (aricauna?). I originally named the easter egger "little Jerry", but ended up calling her "Babs", she's about as crazy as Kramer. Drinks herself silly, until she vomits, then does it again. I don't get it. Stupid bird. 9 total. Between 4-8 eggs a day. All are under 6 months old. I am giving my brother my first coop I build, I found that 5 sheets of plywood works best for me. I screwed 4 sheets of 3/4" together, cut one in half for the ends. I'm not allowed to have them, so they are in hiding so no one can see. Wonderful Will county. A bunch of idiots. They free roam in a 12x12' area during the day, and get a heat lamp at night inside their coop. The kids love having them as pets. They are quite fun to watch. Our chickens are the most spoiled, they eat my food, fruit, and get more attention from my kids than I do. On average, we get 7 a day, most days. The neighbors really love getting free eggs.

 

[taylor t]

My chickens are now 24 weeks 3 days old and all are producers!
in 3 days (that's when the eggs first appeared) I've received about 22 eggs!
This morning I got 2 medium, 5 large and 1 extra large egg from my 8 chickens!

So you just started getting eggs? That's the most fun! Congrats!

 

[taylor t]

Who does the government think they are, telling us what we can and can't have, with a house I pay for!!! If they were to make it so I pay a fee, I would do it. But they don't. Oh, well... lost revenue...

This is what we wake up to every morning, we taunt them! It's so fun!!! Good morning chickies!!!

Here's the box. Can't see it from satalite! Yahoo!

They are a ton of fun!

 

[bocochoco]

My only suggestion is to buy coyote urine and sprinkle it around the coop to ward off fox. I kept ducks and fox find them pretty tasty

 

[taylor t]

My only suggestion is to buy coyote urine and sprinkle it around the coop to ward off fox. I kept ducks and fox find them pretty tasty

Good idea, but, and, I thought about that too, but 99.999% certain no coyote or fox is getting in. Fox are in the neighborhood, I've seen them. A coyote/fox would need to get into my yard, first. Good luck. Then, would have to dig, deep. A person would have a hard time getting to them, to hear them, let alone see them.... They are pets, and I thought about that. I had to make sure they would not be taken by predators, or the county, then I had to think about bribing the neighbors... eggs... perfect! And, to top it, I have 2 dogs, and one barks with ants on the deck. Both dogs love the chicks. Chicks like the dogs. No worries here.

Chickens need fresh air, and don't like wind. They can endure cold, not wind. Mine get lots of fresh air, and are completely sheltered from wind, and the reason it's really hard to hear them from the property line. I most likely could keep a rooster, and the neighbors wouldn't hear, but I don't want to push it... It's funny, a few neighbors want to do the same.

 

[bocochoco]

Fox dug 18" into mine

 

[karenL]

My 8 chicken had 11 eggs today!

 

[ptr13]

nice chickens Dave, have to come over to see it one of these days.

 

[bocochoco]

They lay eggs daily?

 

[karenL]

My hens average 1 egg a day, once in a while 2 or 3 chickens take a day off
From my 8 chickens I get 5, 6, 8 and once 11 eggs every morning
I've given many many away

 

[bocochoco]

Man...I want chickens now. Why can't you live in Oswego?