First Eggs of New Season

[Chicketeer]

Esme, my Silverlaced Wyandotte bantam laid her first egg on 21 January and has laid on alternate days since - 5 to-date. She was last to finish laying at end of October too. I have 3 SLW bantams and they are amazing. Last year was their first season and between them they laid 521 eggs with huge yolks, despite going broody like clockwork every 3 weeks! Being confined to coop and run since December obviously hasn't upset them (they usually free range round the garden). What's not to like ..... Layers pellets, spring greens, porridge made from pellets with a drizzle of omega oils and a Feathers and Beaky treat dispenser for amusement all to hand in the run. Love them to bits!

 

[Marigold]

They're very lucky hens, Chickateer. Yes, some breeds don't like being confined, but many of them are perfectly happy if the run is big enough,with long perches to sit on and watch the world, and especially in winter weather if it has a roof. When I go down to my girls on a wet, windy winter afternoon, the hens are all dry and comfortable, and it's like a little oasis in the run, much nicer than the dripping soggy garden outside.