Once it turned cold our champion egg layer Roseanna stopped laying. She went through a broody stage, then she started to shed feathers. After a bit of online research I learnt that egg production can cease with declining day lengths. This bit of info here also made perfect sense -
"Molting and egg production are not mutually compatible, so when molting occurs, egg production ceases. A rest from egg laying allows the hen to restore its plumage condition by shedding old feathers and growing new ones. At the same time, the hen’s reproductive tract is rejuvenated, allowing it to increase its rate of egg production and produce higher quality eggs when it returns to lay. Under natural day lengths, molting tends to coincide with the change in season so that hens molt in the fall after they cease egg production due to declining day lengths".
Then in the weekend there was talk of Sunday Roasts if the chickens were not going to be productive............they must of heard because Monday while I was feeding them and changing their water I noticed a kind of grass hut under one of the peach trees and inside hiding sat two eggs. I noticed later that day that Roseanna was sitting in there.
She has laid previously under the Asparagus plant but it is looking a little bare so she has found a cosier spot I think for the cooler months.
Betty our older one does not lay and the two younger ones are almost near the age where they will start to give us eggs.
So if there is talk again about turning my girls into Sunday Roasts I may have to start "planting" eggs to keep the troops happy! Wink!
I got the same comments here. Ours was also because we added two new girls. The three oldies went on strike. I moved their 'bed' where it gets more morning sun and they seem to be getting back into action.
ReplyDeleteGood idea about moving their bed, I read online last night that Bantams don't like to lay in autumn/winter so I'm expecting "production" to get going again when the warmer months come xo
DeleteLovely pics of hens! I'd love hens in my back garden, but my husband is not keen on the idea....(small self pitying sigh). The flavour of the eggs is just beyond any shop bought, though, isn't it? X
ReplyDeleteYou will have to twist his arm. I love our girls and to hear them gabbling away in the garden is such a nice sound. I feed our girls lots of corn which they love, so the eggs yolks are a lovely bright colour. The taste is so yummy and eggy xo
DeleteWell, she's got you all going on an Easter egg hunt!
ReplyDeleteCould you bear to eat these ladies now you know them...?
I'm trying to convince Mr H that Bantams are no good for eating. He wants to get bigger chickens that will be for the pot.......and that we don't name. xo
DeleteSo I want two hens when we move to our new house as the back garden is perfect for urban farming sooo much research into chickens later and I still learn new things! I don't think you'd ever, really eat them, right? Not when you have them named? o_0 Hazel x
ReplyDeleteI think Mr H is teasing, I could never bring myself to eat them. I see them more as pets than food! xo
Deletewish I had chickens but we don't live on alot of land and don't think the neighbours would be imprssed but you can't beat free range eggs, I refuse to buy cafe ones don't like that industry, free range are wayyyy better!
ReplyDeleteloving the colour of the chickens. Really fresh eggs must be great. The youngest cooks omelettes/scrambled eggs etc by himself most afternoons after school. we buy organic or free range so it can be $15 on eggs alone a week!
ReplyDeleteYour girls are such pretty chooks. There's nothing better than fresh eggs.x
ReplyDeleteHaha that is classic :). Good girls x
ReplyDeleteHappy egg hunting and planting as needed! xx
ReplyDeleteHa! This was awesome lady! I am so glad they caught on and left you a surprise! What a beautiful photo of your girls and how awesome to have eggs! I need some chickens!!!! Happy week ahead to you! Nicole xo
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