Eggs

We've been keeping a log of egg production since the hens began laying in July, 2010. We average between 6 and 10 eggs a day out of 11 possible layers. We do get eggs from our bantam hens, but they're so small that I keep their numbers separate from the big hens.

We can accumulate quite a few eggs in a short period of time. I snapped a picture of six-dozen eggs. What a beautiful sight. :)



Monica hasn't been feeling very well lately, but we don't know what's wrong with her. I doubt she's been laying. She has been eating and drinking, so time will tell how she does.

We got a very, very small brown egg the other day. We don't know who laid it, but it was the size of a bantam egg. Since the banties only lay white- or cream-colored eggs we know it wasn't one of them.



Tiny brown egg compared to full-sized egg

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The weather has been fairly cold lately. After an unseasonably warm fall and early winter with temperatures in the 30's and 40's with freezing rain, we are finally in the clutches of the cold winter weather we have come to know so well over the years. We heat the hen house with two or three 250-watt heat lamps, depending on the temperature. At -20 or above, I use only two lamps. Anything much colder than -25 and I use three lamps.

Naturally, the cost of keeping the hen house going is rather high. I joked with one person who was buying eggs from me the other day that her eggs would cost her $20/dozen in the winter.

More Eggs!

Today the girls gave us two eggs! The brown one is probably from Monica and I know the blue one is Olivia's because I actually saw her lay the egg. I even got it on video. How cool.





Olivia with her very first egg :)

Hopefully the other girls will get in gear and begin laying too.

Our FIRST EGG!!!!!

It's official . . . We have our very first egg. It is a very small size, which is typical for the first few eggs that a hen will lay. Eventually, the eggs get bigger and more normal-sized. This one was perfectly shaped and very clean. :) How egg-citing!





I think it was Monica who laid it, as yesterday morning she parked herself in this same nest box and would not come outside right away when I let the chickens out.




Monica



Ellen: "Did I hear that someone laid an egg?"

New Peeps!

The newest chicks: 5 Welsummers, 2 Australorps, 1 New Hampshire Red

All were hatched on June 28, 2010.

Final Stage -- The Chicken Pen

The chicken enclosure has finally been completed. We had the outdoor pen built today. It has two gates for easy access. Now the chickens can come and go as they please from their hen house.

Getting Shavings With Small Children

Yesterday, Steph and I (with Dylan and Marina) went to get more shavings. I warned Steph of the mountain of shavings that awaited us at the lumber mill, and how her kids should probably take off their shoes to prevent shavings from getting all over their socks and in their shoes.

They followed this advice . . . but then proceeded to lie down and cover themselves in the shavings. As Steph and I worked filling bags, we'd look up and see the kids running along the top ridge of Mt. Shavings. Occasionally, we'd see them leap off the back side and disappear, filling the air with squeals of delight.

With the heat of the day and all the running around, they got quite sweaty. They eventually went home and showered to remove all the little particles of sawdust from their hair and everywhere else.

Ah, to be a child . . .

Using the Hen House -- FINALLY!!

Tonight Emma and I put the chickens in their new house. I moved some scrap lumber first (with Emma's help, of course). We then were getting ready to move the chickens into the hen house when it began pouring down. And I mean POURING, complete with thunder and lightning. Once we were in full swing we didn't want to stop. After it was all done we felt good.

The chickens are now safely inside their house, preening and roosting in comfort.





Drenched, but happy.











All the girls in their new home.

Poor Rambo

This morning around 8:00 am Rambo really found his rooster voice. I immediately put him in the large dog kennel in the garage. He's been languishing (and crowing) there ever since. I reluctantly made up a sale flier that will go up at the local feed store. I hope we're able to find him a good home. We will definitely miss him. :(



Poor Rambo!
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When Earl got home today he surprised us by walking in with Rambo in his arm. I guess he took pity on the little guy and thought he deserved some time outside of the kennel.



Later in the evening, I put the hens out in the back yard for a little bug-chasing and grass-eating time. I added Rambo to the mix and he stayed quiet. He's back outside in the pen and will spend the night with the ladies.

New Hen House & Pizza Party With Chickens

Yesterday we had a contractor begin work on our hen house. Today I took some pictures of the building progress. I think this is probably the most well-constructed hen house we could have had. These chickens should be very happy . . . I know I am.




Before: The side of the hen house that shows where the nesting boxes will be.



After: The nesting box side. They have two lift-up lids for egg-gathering from outside the house. Lauren got a little serious painting done, added a couple of hand prints and left.




A bit more paint has been added.



One of my painter-helpers (Emma) hard at work.



Before: A view inside, showing nesting box openings.



After: With paint and a window on the outside and insulation inside.



Before: Another inside view of the nest box side.



After: With insulation.



Before: West side of the hen house.



After: West side of house with a window and some paint.

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Later in the evening, after the builders left, Grandma, Grandpa, Marina and Dylan came with pizza for dinner. We all sat in the back yard with the chickens and ate our dinner. Once the chickens discovered that we had food they became quite interested in us.



Rambo flew up to share Grandma's chair with her. She was quite thrilled, as you can see.



Rambo perched happily on Grandma's chair.



Rambo



Olivia



Monica



Marina and Buffy



Chickens visiting Grandpa and Grandma and begging for food.



Grandpa holding everyone's favorite chicken, Georgine (formerly Beauregard)



Such a nice man and a nice little chicken



Grandpa & Emma with Georgine and Rachel



Dylan & Georgine



Chloe relaxing on Emma's lap



Chloe listening to Emma sing to her.