[Ag-eq] my chickens

[Nella Foster]

Susan:

I met to say the chickens might start laying near the end of August.  I 
believe they hatched on March 30 and I was told they could start laying at 
18 weeks.  From everything I've read these breeds are known for laying 
early.

I just started feeding them the chicken scratch; I was feeding them the 
stuff for chicks.  Do you think I should feed the food for laying hens?

Nella
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Susan Roe" <dogwoodfarm at verizon.net>
To: "Agricultural and Equestrean Division List" <ag-eq at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 04, 2010 4:53 AM
Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] my chickens


> Nella,
>
> How old are your hens.  I usually got mine in April or May at about 4 to 8 
> weeks old and then they would start laying by October.  I fed them the 
> baby crumble up til they were about 12 weeks and then switched to adult 
> laying mash.  You don't want to give them the adult stuff too early 
> because they can't handle the extra calcium until they are a bit older.
>
> Susan
> dogwoodfarm at verizon.net
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Nella Foster" <nfoster at extremezone.com>
> To: "Agricultural and Equestrean Division List" <ag-eq at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2010 8:54 PM
> Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] my chickens
>
>
>> Susan:
>>
>> Yesterday it got up to 115!  I was so worried about the chickens, but 
>> they were o.k.
>>
>> Thursday evening I let the girls out to run around and eat bugs and such. 
>> I went back out about 8:30 to shut their gate; I could only feel 3 
>> chickens in the coop, but thought the other was up on the top roost, 
>> which I can't reach.  Friday morning when I went out to feed here comes 
>> one of my chickens.  She was all upset since she was out of the run and 
>> the rest were inside.  I was able to catch her and put her back in.  I've 
>> been trying to handle them a lot so they will be easier to catch, I guess 
>> it's paying off!
>>
>> They are really growing and filling out.  My neighbor said that their 
>> feathers look healthier than when I first got them.  They should start 
>> laying near the end of July, but I suspect they may wait due to the heat.
>>
>> How is everything going there?
>>
>> I hope you are having a great 4th of July weekend.
>>
>> Nella
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Susan Roe" <dogwoodfarm at verizon.net>
>> To: "Agricultural and Equestrean Division List" <ag-eq at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 8:56 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] my chickens
>>
>>
>>> Nella,
>>>
>>> When I can get my hands on them, I can tell the Buff Orphingtons because 
>>> they don't have much of a tail so to speak.  LOL
>>> I don't know exactly how long chickens can live.  I'm sure there are a 
>>> lot of factors to consider, however, right now my oldest ones are about 
>>> 5 years old and though they have slowed down a bit, they are still 
>>> laying good size eggs.
>>>
>>> That is not a problem with letting your hens out like you are doing and 
>>> putting them up at night.  I can't do that here, too many roaming 
>>> hunting dogs, farrel cats and loads of active wildlife.  We have 12 foot 
>>> square enclosed yards for each coop.  They get plenty of sun, wind, 
>>> rain, bugs and mice, grass clippings, leaf rakings and whatever 
>>> vegetable/fruit we have of our own, local farmers market and things we 
>>> find really cheep on sale.  They love it all.
>>>
>>> Susan
>>> dogwoodfarm at verizon.net
>>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
>
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