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Post by bod on Jan 8, 2008 15:15:31 GMT 1
Well I never Fiona, you must have psychic powers. Bet you were over the moon, hope you didn't squabble over who was going to eat it - I'm sure there will be plenty more where that one came from
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Post by benjiesmum on Jan 8, 2008 20:10:01 GMT 1
They look quite young Fiona. Nice chubby little birdies too! I'm sure egg production will get underway shortly. By the way what sort are they? What are their names? Where's the bloke hen to keep them in order?
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Post by maree on Jan 8, 2008 22:29:21 GMT 1
I'm sure Fi will be able to give us the correct sort, but I seem to remember that they're called "highline" or summit. I know it sounds like a type of bank account.... ;D They're quite cuddly little ladies as far as hens go. Daddy maree's hens always suffer as roadkill at this time of year. They're really attracted to the grit on the main road and carry out kamakazee?sp moves resulting in a reduction of the flock  . I've often seen sheep licking at the roads at this time of year due to the salt content in the grit. |
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Post by benjiesmum on Jan 9, 2008 8:00:31 GMT 1
I'm sure Fi will be able to give us the correct sort, but I seem to remember that they're called "highline" or summit. I know it sounds like a type of bank account.... ;D They're quite cuddly little ladies as far as hens go. Daddy maree's hens always suffer as roadkill at this time of year. They're really attracted to the grit on the main road and carry out kamakazee?sp moves resulting in a reduction of the flock . I've often seen sheep licking at the roads at this time of year due to the salt content in the grit. Ah yes, Maree that's the breed! I think she had mentioned it once before but couldn't for the life of me remember what they were. I have put my name down for six ex-battery hens.  Silly chickens going on the road! You'd better by them little fluorescent jackets so they can be spotted easily!  |
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Post by bod on Jan 9, 2008 9:37:34 GMT 1
Has anyone been watching Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's programme on Channel 4. He is demonstrating the shocking conditions hens live in and is trying to convert us into buying free range chickens, its a real eye opener. Concludes tonight at 9pm
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Post by benjiesmum on Jan 9, 2008 11:15:24 GMT 1
Has anyone been watching Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's programme on Channel 4. He is demonstrating the shocking conditions hens live in and is trying to convert us into buying free range chickens, its a real eye opener. Concludes tonight at 9pm I haven't bought anything but free range chicken for years now. I won't eat chicken in a restaurant or in pies and other ready-made meals. I know exactly what the conditions are like in these terrible places - that's why I am adopting six of them. Apparently, when I get them they won't know what to do at all and will just sit and stare out of their run. It will take them at least a month or so to get used to the idea that they don't have to stand still. Battery farming makes me extremely ANGRY!!!!   |
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Post by Fifi on Jan 9, 2008 17:13:25 GMT 1
They look quite young Fiona. Nice chubby little birdies too! I'm sure egg production will get underway shortly. By the way what sort are they? What are their names? Where's the bloke hen to keep them in order? Sorry guys, been a bit bizzy - yes, as Maree's said they are Highline. <I've tried sticking them in the cash machine in the Hillswick Shop but they're too fat.> Meant to be as good if not better layers than the Loman Brown we had a few years back. They were eggsellent layers <I know.. it's a groan..> and laid year-round. Yes, they look young - the whaddyacallit <name escapes me at the moment> on top still looks quite small. Should have asked their age but there were lots of people and it was all a bit busy and I was preoccupied getting them in the containers. The last ones we had were about 16 or 18 wks I think and already laying when we got them. Haven't actually thought about names, although the doc used to have Chicken Tikka, Chicken Korma, etc etc. ;D As for a big bad boy - we got one of those from the doc years ago and he was a big bad boy. I had to go in with a broom to protect myself, so that put me off! They are gorgeous though. One egg again today which I've left in the nesting box to try to encourage them to lay in there! |
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Post by benjiesmum on Jan 9, 2008 18:30:35 GMT 1
I'd say they look about 18 weeks old from the size of their combs. I am surprised they have laid so early because there is not really enough daylight to trigger the start of lay yet so you are doing very well. All my brown egg layers are on strike at the moment! They have been since the moulted. The ones that always do me proud are the cream legbars - I've had about 18 blue eggs now this week from 12 birds, so they are starting. But one of my pullet legbars is laying a pale brown egg - hmmmm!!! A few weeks ago I had to go and buy half a dozen from a SHOP!!!!  I was beside myself. I hope yours don't peck the egg you have left in the house. A pot egg would be better. I have already spotted one of mine egg pecking this week - a nasty habit that is best avoided. |
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Post by MG on Jan 10, 2008 11:04:55 GMT 1
Should explain Fiona, if you hadn't guessed, a pot egg is a ceramic egg! Pot is a Manchester/Lancashire slang word.
Bod on return from a holiday in warmer climes did not go down well with customs when she declared that she had bought 'pot' back as presents!
;D ;D ;D
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Post by Fifi on Jan 10, 2008 12:50:44 GMT 1
Thanks for the info Benji.  Re light - yes, we were lucky with our last lot which laid right through, regardless of light. I know some people put lights in to extend the daylight and encourage laying. 18 eggs from 12 birds! An egg and a half each! <wonder how they lay an egg and a half.. ? > I know what you mean about having to buy from a shop, it just ain't the same. 'Proper' eggs is just so much better!! Yes, I wondered about leaving the egg in. I thought about it the first day then didn't do it, but Mr Fifi suggested trying it, so it's his fault! Another one today but she's not getting the nesting box idea yet, although very early days. Any ideas, Cap'n Benji? Should I go with the pot egg? First Mate Fifi |
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Post by Fifi on Jan 10, 2008 12:52:15 GMT 1
Should explain Fiona, if you hadn't guessed, a pot egg is a ceramic egg! Pot is a Manchester/Lancashire slang word. Bod on return from a holiday in warmer climes did not go down well with customs when she declared that she had bought 'pot' back as presents! ;D ;D ;D Yes, I got the pot egg bit. Hilarious Bod story!!!! ;D ;D |
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Post by jaydee67 on Jan 10, 2008 19:08:08 GMT 1
You can use golf balls as 'pot eggs' too - I've also used them to test a broody's staying power!
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Post by benjiesmum on Jan 10, 2008 19:08:34 GMT 1
18 eggs from 12 birds! An egg and a half each! <wonder how they lay an egg and a half.. ? > First Mate Fifi Well that total of 18 is over a week now - since the turn of the year which is quite good for January. And when you think about it half a yolk is better than none!! |
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Post by benjiesmum on Jan 10, 2008 19:09:18 GMT 1
Should explain Fiona, if you hadn't guessed, a pot egg is a ceramic egg! Pot is a Manchester/Lancashire slang word. ;D ;D ;D   |
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Post by benjiesmum on Jan 10, 2008 19:12:35 GMT 1
You can use golf balls as 'pot eggs' too - I've also used them to test a broody's staying power! Yup! That's another good idea! Or you can get plastic ones, but they tend to play football with them because they aren't weighty enough. But a nice little clutch of golf balls is just as good. I have one naughty chicken who just lays "on the hoof!!" She just walks about drops it and carries on as though nothing had happened! |
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Never work before breakfast. If you do have to work before breakfast, eat your breakfast first. 
. I've often seen sheep licking at the roads at this time of year due to the salt content in the grit.
"Who says nothing is impossible? Some people do it every day!"
Re light - yes, we were lucky with our last lot which laid right through, regardless of light. I know some people put lights in to extend the daylight and encourage laying. 18 eggs from 12 birds! 
