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7:46 pm
Thu 10-Dec-09
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Hello
I am very new to animal keeping other than cats, I have 5 chickens, and a huge garden that they live in, they have a house and enclosed pen, I let them out in the garden every day unless I am out, then I let them out as soon as I come home. I change the hay in their bed weekly, and they have corn and pellets every day plus what ever else they find in the garden or in the kitchen! they like to come indoors. My problem is they have stopped laying eggs, when I first had them they laid most days, since the clocks changed they have stopped laying and so I am a bit at loss to know what to do? is it the cold?or have they just stopped laying now for good.
Any advice appreciated !! Thanks
Sandra
5:34 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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Hello and welcome! Another Welsh one - we're taking over!
Although I don't have chickens, I asked the same question and Fiona says that it is to do with light levels so I guess that when the spring arrives your eggs will too.
I haven't been to Cardiff for a long time, I guess it has changed beyond all recognition?
I'll try that again!
1:00 am
Sat 12-Aug-06
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Hi, Sandy, and welcome.
Yes indeed, as TA said, chickens naturally stop laying during the dark winter months. The eggs that we buy in supermarkets are produced from farms (not all battery-style) that have installed lighting to simulate brighter seasons.Those poor chooks become exhausted early and die young.
Years ago, my mum used to collect the autumn eggs from our flock and preserve them in an Isinglass solution to provide us with a supply during winter.Humane but outdated, sadly.
Your chooks will start laying again some time in Feb/Mar.
BTW - I regularly drive past Caerdydd on my way to Bridgend. But i have not visited Cardiff for many years. I used to go to the old Arms Park for the 6N internationals as a youngster. We had many magical days and nights in your territory. Marvellous times!
Never knowingly underfed
5:24 pm
Supreme Being
Thu 24-Sep-09
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Hi
Although I am an avid reader of your blog this is my first foray into the world of chat. I too have hens and mine too stop laying at the end of October. I do not provide artificial light over the winter and don't mind feeding them and the ducks during the darker days ( of Argyll) as the joys of egg collecting in the lighter months of the year is wonderful. however in the last three weeks I have been getting about three eggs a day from some new stock I got as chicks in the summer. I am delighted but somewhat puzzled to find that these eggs are blue. I thought at first that the ducks had ventured into the henhouse but no, they are definitely hens eggs. Any explanations? I have never seen blue hens eggs before. Incidentally they are fantastic with golden yolks.
Old teachers never die, they just lose their class
11:54 am
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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I wonder what variety of hens you have? I've bought blue eggs in Waitrose before now but I can't remember what breed they came from.
Welcome to the forum by the way, good to have you along.
I'll try that again!
4:58 pm
2nd Grader
Tue 22-Dec-09
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hi.. another welsh newbie .. posted this twice allready but it dissapears into the tinternet limbo..
there are a number of hens that lay blue or greenish eggs, auracanas, legbars, dorkings.. must admit its a pleasure to see summat other than buff brown things in the nestboxes of a morning...
gary
11:01 am
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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Hello Gary, welcome to the mad house. We Welsh are taking over here! Thanks for the info on the eggs, I think I got Legbar eggs from waitrose. Wish I could keep chickens.
I'll try that again!
11:08 am
Supreme Being
Thu 24-Sep-09
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Thanks Toffeeapple and Gary. At least I know now they are not too unusual. They are still giving me beautiful and varying shades of blue, despite the cold and snowy weather which has me trapped as I cannot get my car out. Not that I mind, I have my dogs, hens, ducks, red squirrels and lots of wild birds ( and an abundance of wine) to keep me busy. Merry Christmas
Old teachers never die, they just lose their class
11:20 am
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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I guess the weather has hit you quite badly up there Danast? Thank goodness you have wine! I envy you the red squirrels. Merry Christmas to you too.
I'll try that again!
9:38 pm
Supreme Being
Thu 24-Sep-09
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Well TA I am still iced in here - not had the car out for almost two weeks. It's not new snow, but sheet ice and the gritters don't come into the estate where I live. No one will drive to my house just now. Anyway, no more blue eggs. This cold snap had put the hens off the lay. Hoping for a thaw and more eggs very soon.
Old teachers never die, they just lose their class
10:06 pm
Sat 12-Aug-06
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Yes indeed, Gary, we have friends with arancunas (or whatever they are called) that lay blue eggs. But duck eggs (if you can get them) are a real treat we think.
Danast, it would be great to see some photos of your blue variations when they start laying again. Thanks
Never knowingly underfed
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