The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: bazzais on January 01, 2011, 07:08:55 am

Title: Confused Little Chickens
Post by: bazzais on January 01, 2011, 07:08:55 am
Poor little chickens :)

With all the latest snow on the ground and the light moonlit nights they have been confused over what time to actually quit and goto bed (I know the feeling!!)

Anndddd a bonus - My chooks are still laying like crazy with all this weather, anyone else? I am sure they think spring has come early!!

Its a pita though to have to check they have made it too bed and are not sleepin under our shelter instead of in it!

Baz
Title: Re: Confused Little Chickens
Post by: plumseverywhere on January 01, 2011, 08:57:50 am
funnily enough, mine are laying much better than I expected for this time of year. we wondered if it was because of the new cockerel (trying to impress him or something!) but we had 13 eggs in 3 days from 13 hens. 7 in one day.
I was thinking yesterday that the wild birds all seem a bit spring-like too. Its almost like the heavy snow and then quick thaw here has totally confuddled them. Also the goats were stood out in the moonlight at all hours during the snow. most odd.
Title: Re: Confused Little Chickens
Post by: manian on January 01, 2011, 10:32:19 am
hi
our chickens are laying the same as summer
we have 15 hens and are getting 11 or 12 every day
bless em
Mx :chook: ;D
Title: Re: Confused Little Chickens
Post by: DJ_Chook on January 01, 2011, 11:01:19 am
Ours are laying loads too, just like in summer. I've told them they should take a few days off laying. Have an egg holiday etc
Title: Re: Confused Little Chickens
Post by: knightquest on January 01, 2011, 02:07:38 pm
We're getting 4 or 5 a day from 6 birds too. Only had 'em 6 months so have nothing to compare performance with at the moment.  :chook: :chook:

Ian
Title: Re: Confused Little Chickens
Post by: little blue on January 01, 2011, 03:10:48 pm
ours aren't really laying ... but one of the young birds has revealed he really is a cockerel - in the most fundamental way!  ;)  The poor pullet, she was nearly flattened ....
Title: Re: Confused Little Chickens
Post by: tazbabe on January 01, 2011, 03:56:17 pm
i'm getting 2 eggs a day from 13 hens, but 5 of them are only just approaching POL, 4 are new in the summer and i don't know their age, and the other 4 are now 2, and laid faithfully straight through last winter, so it's not as bad as it seems.

they do seem confused daylight wise, some days back to the coup at half 2, some days still outside at half 4, when its dark, have to persuade them to go in before reynard appears!
Title: Re: Confused Little Chickens
Post by: sheila on January 01, 2011, 06:07:53 pm
my other half and I had a (discussion) about whether the birds thought spring was on the way. he thinks the blackbirds are chasing each other away from food where as I on the other hand am covinced that they are courting. Oh well they will do what they do regardless!
Title: Re: Confused Little Chickens
Post by: manian on January 01, 2011, 10:55:06 pm
my other half and I had a (discussion) about whether the birds thought spring was on the way. he thinks the blackbirds are chasing each other away from food where as I on the other hand am covinced that they are courting. Oh well they will do what they do regardless!
hi
blackbirds court earlier than other breeds so should be  pairing up at the moment
our robins are getting frisky as they are puffing up and breasts getting redder ;)