No yolk!

[CWS4322]

Today I cracked one of the "big" eggs--it was a two yolker! This was the first time I've ever cracked an egg that had 2 yolks. I laughed! The two yolks were about the size of the yolk in the small eggs from the PRs (which, btw, the eggs are getting bigger). When Myrtle and Harriet first arrived, Myrtle was laying 2 eggs/day. The guy I got the girls from did tell me he had one that was a double-yoker...well, I suspect that might be Myrtle. For the last couple of days, she's been laying eggs that DO NOT fit in a carton from x-large eggs. They are about 1/3 bigger than Harriet's eggs.

Of the 9 new RIRs I picked up yesterday, 7 laid eggs today. I was expecting 4, maybe 5 eggs from them today because of the stress of moving. I noticed that the shells are similar to how the shells were on Harriet and Myrtle's eggs when we first got them--porous, not uniform in color. One of the eggs was flat on on one side. Not sure what he was feeding them, but I will definitely be adding "stuff" to their diet (flax seed, egg shells, veggies, etc.). They also have a much more noticeable "chicken" smell. One is also noticeably a darker red--I've named her Scarlett. I am having so much fun being a newbie chicken keeper!

 

[PrincessFiona60]

Here chick, chick, chick...

 

[CWS4322]

PF--you can try all the chicken whispering skills you want, they are NOT moving to Montana!

 

[CWS4322]

A funny thing about chickens I never knew (I didn't know a lot about chickens), anyway, if you put something new in their environment, they have to go investigate it. We moved the disc harrower yesterday (it was in the area we were fencing for the new flock). Well, when the flock of 7 went out this morning, they had to go and investigate it...they walked around it, stretched their necks, cocked their heads, hopped up on it, walked up and down on it as if it were a balance beam, and then perched on it for awhile. Yesterday I had a cardboard box that I put on the floor of the barn...they hopped in and out of it, walked around it, etc. It is easy to provide "environmental enrichment" aspects to the hens' environment. The also line up on their side of the fence and observe the new flock.

 

[CWS4322]

The fenced area for the the 2nd flock is up (we used 180 ft--so the area is a fairly decent size for 9 hens). They have their own coop (8'x10') and access to that fenced area from the coop. We decided not to integrate the two flocks since the 9 new RIRs were raised together and have a pecking order. As does the other flock. Cocky Rocky and I did a "dance" a couple of times today. He's not happy that he can't have access to the new hens! Anyway, once the fence was up, all but one went out to investigate. Maybe tomorrow. The funniest thing is that the fence we used was from a hydro installation. There is a warning sign on the fence that the area contains high-voltage wires! The fenced area is not intended for them to be in at night, it is to keep them out of the gardens and separated from the other flock.

Chickens are way too entertaining. I spend far too much time observing them. Flock 1 (especially Myrle) were very interested in helping put up the fence.

 

[PrincessFiona60]

PF--you can try all the chicken whispering skills you want, they are NOT moving to Montana!

And I love you stories about the chickens!!

 

[CWS4322]

You're welcome to come help "wrangle" them anytime. I started clicker training the "original" flock today. They were very good--as long as I had treats. I didn't tell them that I'm using a "turkey" dog treat...thought that was TMI for them! And Cocky Rocky is NOT impressed that I am interacting with HIS new hens. I gave him a little boot in the chest when he hurled himself against my leg...he was a bit surprised. I'm bigger than he is!

 

[Dawgluver]

CWS, you really need to share some videos or pics of the girls! I really look forward to your chicken stories!

And BTW, Princess, what has your nephew been up to lately?

 

[CWS4322]

I don't have a third hand--it would be a bit hard to click-treat-and take a pic! Not to mention, I've screwed up my camera--I can take pics, but when I download them, I don't get the pics...I guess I could bring my laptop out and set up the webcam...chances are, however, that Mrytle would walk across the keyboard and all you'd see would be Myrtle (or her butt)! (As far as chicken butts go, it is a very cute butt), at least Cocky Rocky thinks it is...

 

[PrincessFiona60]

CWS, you really need to share some videos or pics of the girls! I really look forward to your chicken stories!

And BTW, Princess, what has your nephew been up to lately?

Patron will be in the office tomorrow. He is arriving by private jet from Spokane, Secret Service escort. His Mom hurt her back last week and didn't come in all week, so of course he couldn't come on his own.

 

[PrincessFiona60]

You're welcome to come help "wrangle" them anytime. I started clicker training the "original" flock today. They were very good--as long as I had treats. I didn't tell them that I'm using a "turkey" dog treat...thought that was TMI for them! And Cocky Rocky is NOT impressed that I am interacting with HIS new hens. I gave him a little boot in the chest when he hurled himself against my leg...he was a bit surprised. I'm bigger than he is!

I started squeaker training with Patron, his Mom is thankful...he headed for the busy street and came back to play when she used the squeaker. He's gotten so he thinks running after him or hollering his name is playing, the squeaker works.

I think my next vacation has to be to the East Coast...or my parents. Maybe I can sneak in a trip to Ontario. To play with chickens...

 

[tinlizzie]

Re Chicken Wrangling

I get the feeling that "What's the Last Thing That Made You Smile" might get *hogged* by CW's hen stories. Sure makes me smile to read them.

 

[tinlizzie]

What - no more chicken news? Or am I on the wrong thread for CWS's flock now? My *hogged* comment was, after all, just trying to make a pun. Hope it wasn't taken wrong.

 

[CharlieD]

CW, do yolks in the eggs you get have any blood on them?

 

[Al Pine]

What - no more chicken news? Or am I on the wrong thread for CWS's flock now? My *hogged* comment was, after all, just trying to make a pun. Hope it wasn't taken wrong.

I hope it didn't put you in a fowl mood now.

 

[Daizymae]

What's the oldest chicken you've ever had? For me,was a 5 - 1/2 year old hen. Didn't die a natural death, either. It was killed by a gol durn hawk. That's what happens when you don't go back into the chicken coop with the rest of the chickens like you are supposed to.

As for roosters, who tend to die young (just falling off the roost during the night), it was 4-5 years old when it got taken during the night because it was sleeping outdoors. Nothing left but a pile of feathers.

 

[Timothy]

I hope it didn't put you in a fowl mood now.

Ahhhh comeon, don't be chicken! Strut your stuff like a Rooster with a tude! Don't clamp your beak shut like ya got egg on your face! Crow it out!

hehe, that's all I can think of....

 

[CWS4322]

I've been really busy...work-work-work, and curling started, so that's a "day trip" to the City so I have had to change my work routine. But maybe I can start an O/T Chicken Chronicles thread this weekend for the DC chicken keepers.

And no, my yolks don't have blood in them.

Since this is the first year I've had chickens, they were all born April/May.

I've got the new ones 'conditioned' to go in the coop when I go out around 5-5:30. But, Harriet and Myrtle still "squawked at" if I don't let them out until 9:00 a.m. I tried to take some pics yesterday, but my batteries needed recharging. I wanted to get one of them helping with the plowing--they were all following behind the plow in single file, with Rocky bringing up the rear, crowing his head off and flapping his wings. Maybe Friday I can get some pics--plowing is scheduled again. Harriet did hop up on the tractor...I think she'd like to ride on the tractor...probably on the DH's shoulder! If she does, I promise a picture! Even if I have to drive into town to get more batteries.

 

[CharlieD]

...

And no, my yolks don't have blood in them.

...

How come the eggs I buy at the farmers market always have little drops/dots of blood on the yolks? Just wondering.

 

[Timothy]

How come the eggs I buy at the farmers market always have little drops/dots of blood on the yolks? Just wondering.

Blood Spots

Blood or "meat" spots are occasionally found on an egg yolk. These tiny red or red-brown spots are not harmful. They are caused by the rupture of a blood vessel during formation of the egg. Blood spots do not indicate a fertilized egg. Candling reveals most blood spots and those eggs are removed, but even with electronic spotters, it is impossible to catch all of them. If desired, the spot can be removed with the tip of a clean knife prior to cooking. These eggs are safe to eat.