would a snake eat that many eggs every day? I think im gonna put one of my pyraneese in with the chickens
Varmints don't have to be inside the coop to scare the birds, so they don't lay.
you could try upping their protein by giving them some cat food. Just a bag of the cheap dry stuff. In the winter I give mine cracked corn to keep them laying. An old farmer told me it kept them warm so they'd keep on laying. Whatever the reason it works.
Oh, boy... Depending on the neighbors (if they were REALLY in need, I'd probably handle it differently), I'd get *really* creative. Things like leaving a few eggs out in the sun for 3-4 weeks, then putting them back in the nest. Even better would be to relocate the chickens and replace them with a skunk...My sister had neighbors stealing her eggs. It was two different families. She put a hasp and lock on her chicken house door.
The next day two of the screws were taken out of the top hinge. She keeps a close watch and gathers her eggs often now.
would a snake eat that many eggs every day? I think im gonna put one of my pyraneese in with the chickens
for some reason my 4 chickens have stopped laying.all year since spring, been getting 3 or 4 eggs a day. last 5 days. no eggs at all. looked around there pen . nothing. what would make them all stop at the same time? weather has been in about the 85 to 90. they layed when it was hotter ,
Summerthyme, I like the way you think!Oh, boy... Depending on the neighbors (if they were REALLY in need, I'd probably handle it differently), I'd get *really* creative. Things like leaving a few eggs out in the sun for 3-4 weeks, then putting them back in the nest. Even better would be to relocate the chickens and replace them with a skunk...
I'll help out almost anyone who asks, but thieves piss me off!
Summerthyme
Crowded together indicates fear.been out there 6 times today, just came in. not a single egg
BUT, I have one hen whose a sitter, she sits on all the eggs, when Ijust went out, 3 of the chickens are crowded in a corner of the pen, and the setter is alone in the boxes.. I dont know if her not lettingthem in is the cause, but they usually lay them anywhere if they cant get into the boxes. I have no idea
is there a time when they usually lay eggs? I have no idea
Hens don't need a rooster to lay eggs, just to lay fertile eggs.
Crowded together indicates fear.
Something has been scaring them
In the fall when my birds laying starts to slow down, I'll give them beef tallow and the laying picks right back up. For a while any way.
Did you put the one hen in chicken jail?well im confused. no eggs monday thru friday, went out today, and fluffy feathers all over, and 2 eggs, I have noidea what changed?
NO. didnt do anything, went out this morning. and there were eggs?Did you put the one hen in chicken jail?
That's what's gonna happen the next time my neighbors dogs behind me come in my yard again. They get loose at least once a week.this is what I told my neighbour when she said
"my dogs didnt touch your birds"
1 dog disappeared shortly after her refusal to keep them home