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The Girls are Back in Business

3 February 2011

Four out of five are laying each day.

Our five girls are back in business. After a productive first year we hit some bumps in the road and the hens slowed down. First, Daisy became sickly and stopped laying. Then the ladies began molting; some for the second time. Molting happens about once a year so is to be expected. It lasts for about two months so we became a little “egg deprived” when several of the hens were molting at the same time. The biggest bump in the road, occurred in the wet days of early winter. Rosie, our best layer, died.

Now suddenly, in the warmth of winter on the Central Coast, our five hens have “snapped out of it”. All hens are laying once again. What a delight to lift the nest box cover yesterday and see four beautiful light brown eggs inside. The only one missing was an egg from Tulip and today she joined the others and gifted us with one of her light green beauties.

I’ve only had to buy a dozen eggs in nearly two years so I’m not complaining. All hens now have molted except for Poppy who has continued to be a consistent layer. I’m still putting ground egg shells in their feed and the egg shell on their newly minted eggs appear to be smooth and strong. Here’s hoping the girls stay happy and healthy in the coming year. These are our pets. And what other pet puts food on your table rather than taking it? Blessings!

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6 Comments to “The Girls are Back in Business”

  1. AudraFebruary 9, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    Just found your website. Enjoying your hencam. Have been sharing with my children 4 and 5. We have 16 girls of our own barred rocks and 2 roosters. They have been laying since october last year. We have been averaging 10-15 eggs this week per day. This is my first time having chickens and i am really enjoying it. My girls have started molting for the first time. We live in southern Oklahoma. They seem to like the cold weather compared to the hot. Even out in the cold muddy yard. Just wanted to say hi and thanks for sharing.

  2. JodiFebruary 10, 2011 at 10:49 am

    I really enjoy reading your postings and watching your hens. I live in NYC and have 4 city hens. They are 5 months old, yesterday and today they gave us 4 eggs each day. I never knew that raising hens would be so much fun. I am new to this and I’m still learning. Thanks for your posts, I’ll look forward to reading more.

    Regards,
    Jodi

  3. Tiffany HernandezMarch 30, 2011 at 8:15 am

    My children and I enjoying watching your hens. They seem very active lately, even with the rain. We like keeping track of the eggs and how many each has produced. The ladies sure do crowd the nest boxes sometimes, sometimes 3 trying to get in at once! They seem to work it out. Great website and a good learning tool for my children.

  4. LeeApril 2, 2011 at 9:35 am

    Hello Tiffany. Glad you and the children are enjoying the hens. The girls would be amused to know how many people watch them come and go. They think that they are alone out there. When they see me coming, they run to the fence, thinking I have a treat for them. I try not to bother them in the morning as that is when they are most likely to lay. Yes, it is a kick to see them line up for a nest boxes, but……..when you gotta go, you gotta go! Thanks for commenting! Lee

  5. SandyMarch 23, 2016 at 4:36 pm

    Hello,
    I am very new to this backyard chicken stuff…so bare with me if I sound really stupid. But I’m looking at your egg laying box…and it is so clean. Is it fake grass?
    I plan on getter 2 Buff Orpingtons next month 4/2016. I live in Southern California, near the 210 & 15 fwys. I have been reading EVERYTHING I can, regarding backyard chickens, when I came across your site. I have spent most of today reading everything you’ve written. You have such useful information…I feel I’m almost ready for my chicks. 🙂

    Thank you,
    Sandy

  6. LeeMarch 26, 2016 at 8:03 am

    Yes, we use fake grass in the nest boxes. I don’t remember where I heard about doing that 8 years ago but it has worked out really well. I just shake it off once a week or so and wash it with a hose a couple times a year.
    Glad my site has been useful to you. As you can see, I adore Buff Orpingtons. They have the sweetest dispositions, calm, tame, etc. I think you’ll have such fun. Try to handle them every day, if you can, when they are young. Good luck and have fun with your “fluffy butts”.

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