First birds....and now eggs...

[Anonymous]

Just got our first 4 chickens.

I think there Rhode islands :?
Bought them from a local free range egg farm who was getting rid of them at 12mnths old for fresh stock.
@£3 each.

Will post photos of them soon.

Wife is as we speak choosing names....... :roll: :roll:

 

[mightymohan]

most likely they will be hybrids, these are probably the best hens for the first time keeper, but be warned they are so greedy its unbelievable!

 

[girlracer265]

congrats

 

[Anonymous]

Well progress report......

two eggs today ..... but both broke and squashed flat

Still had then less then 24 hours, so a good start really.

I hope its just a one off whilst they settle but suppose it could be my set-up (eg. nest boxes too small , too low?)

They had dragged all the straw out so laid on the bare base.

will keep you all informed

 

[snifter]

You may find they just lay wherever they happen to be to begin with. Some of my ex farmed/batts used to just walk around and lay eggs out in the yard. They had no clue about nest boxes.

 

[Anonymous]

Quick update.

usually one or two eggs a day...but...

all broke

the shells seem very wafer thin with the odd one soft shelled.

could be just settling in, coming through first moult?

feed pellets contain shel???? something. grit and crushed oyster shell available

Still early days yet.

One ther thing, she wants to add more chucks to the coop,how do they usaully react when adding a few P.O.L. or smaller bantams to older birds?
Thanks.

 

[mightymohan]

with regards to the soft shells i would give them a week more at least and let them settle into the new food etc. if there is still a problem you can maybe buy a supplement to give them what they need for the shells.