Early Emmy Gets The Egg

I was still sleeping when Emmy comes in the bedroom this morning teasing because she found the egg this morning.  It wasn't even light out yet!  Guess I am just going to have to sleep in the hammock to beat her out there!

 

They are getting prettier and bigger.  I think one of the girls is getting the hang of this egg producing thing.  I check the growth on their combs and the brightness of them.  Looks like we might have more layers soon.

 

Michael comparing the sizes.  I ask him if he wanted eggs for breakfast and he said no.  "You know Mom that I don't eat things that I know where they come from.  And I don't like chicken on the bone.  Just cook with them and don't tell me."  Crack me up.

Just Another Exciting Friday Night

Susie is the fearless one.  She just jumped right up on their new ladder roost.  She eventually walked to the top. Tomorrow I almost expect to see her walking along the clothesline.

A little mixed veggies for tonight's snack.

First they picked out all the corn.

Carrots were the next to go.

Not liking peas at all.  But not to worry Ells...AKA...the hoover...at them.

I Will Never Get Tired Of Egg Gathering

Yesterday evening I ventured out after dinner to read a bit and watch the birds.  But I decided to make a detour and check the nesting boxes.

Not one but two eggs from the Big Girls.

So on a whim, I check in with the Little Girls.  OMGosh, and egg.  And so pretty.

Look at all the different colors of brown.

And I am thinking that Dixie was the first to lay because her comb is big and red.

 

And I'm telling you that they love lemon balm.  Every time I put it in the nesting boxes I get at least one egg.

Almost A Half Dozen

I found this one early this morning.  It must have been hatched last night.  It was cold and very dry.  all the others have been warm and sticky.

This almost half dozen of eggs traveled o WV today for Papaw and Mamaw's breakfast.

 

TOTAL NUMBER OF EGGS SO FAR....8

 

It must be getting close to time for the Little Girls to start laying.  I was noticing that RayJeana might be the first to lay...her comb is the biggest and brightest red of the bunch.  And she is an Easter Egger!  You know what that means...pretty eggs as the yahoos call them.

He'll Do Just About Anything

He will do anything to get out of doing fractions!

They come running when they see us!  I love that!

The Big Girls have ventured way over in the other side of the yard.

They found where the rabbit was today.

Michael found them a new toy.

But Inez just ran right by it.

Checking for eggs...none tonight.

My Little Girls house.

 

Keithetta Renetta doing what she does best...running around like a chicken with her head cut off.

Esthelle strutting her stuff.

Made a new roost for when they are out in the yard for a long time...like during the day.

Sunny

Gave it a shot.

Hey you guys, lookie what I found...another thing for us to play on.

 

Michael checked for eggs one more time and then put the chickens to bed.  Ella helped herd them tonight.  And now he is up in his room working on those darn fractions.

Peep And Stitch Visit

I got a call from my dad a little before noon today saying that he was on his way to see the chickens.  I was in the middle of cutting the grass and the poison ivy.

 

First things first...a little soak in the hot tub to relax all his muscles.

  (That's why he has no shirt on in the pictures below)

And then he got to meet the girls.

 

He and Susie are best buds!

Tricks with the blueberries.

He had then jumping all over the place.

Susie and Stitch don't like each other.  Stitch is scared to death of them.

A little peck on the nose was all it took to for Stitch to learn that you don't bother chickens.

And look who found an egg!

 

And then we took him to The SchoolHouse Restaurant for dinner.

They Say Don't Let Then Get Bored

I'm going out on a limb here by saying chickens are like a bunch of two year olds.  Leave them alone with nothing to do and they are bound to get bored and they maybe into some trouble.  I had made a chicken swing out of some rope and a stick but they were on it so much that it kept falling apart.  Mark has promised he would buy the girls a real chicken swing...still waiting on it to come...  I have given the all kinds of treats that they have to work at to eat.  Things like hanging cabbage, watermelon halves, and lettuce leaves in a suet feeder.  But today with the help of the yahoos (Pappy can never tell them no) we bought two chicken treat holders.

 

I had visions of then chasing these treat balls all over the yard.  Instead they just pecked at them for a little while and then they were on to bigger and better things.  I put the treat balls in their runs tonight when they went to roost.  I'll check on them in the morning to see it they finally figured them out.

 

In Case Anyone Is Keeping Count

That makes a grand total of 5 eggs and one half shell in 8 days!

Luke was the lucky chicken farmer tonight (After I had already checked a few more than a few times).  He is as excited about these eggs as I am.  And I think he has a secret goal to catch and hold every one of the girls.  I think he is looking for chicken #3.

 

Wondering how you figure out which one of the ladies is laying the eggs.  The only one that I will be able to pick out for sure is the Marans because they will be Hershey chocolate brown.  Guess I might have to sit one day and see who goes into the nesting boxes.  Not going to get much else done that day!

It Works!

On my second trip out to the coop I found this egg.  Just like this...in the nesting box, on the herbs, and beside the wooden egg (which freaks everyone out).  I almost did a back flip!  And Emmy didn't find it first.

 

Now on to more reading!

 

Egg Production Prep

Didn't get too much accomplished yesterday. Spent most of the day researching nesting boxes, egg laying, and egg storage.  And of course checking the nesting boxes for eggs.

Looks like I might be planting some new herbs.  Maybe another raised bed close to the coop.

Basil - antibacterial, mucus membrane health
Catnip - sedative, insecticide
Cilantro - antioxidant, fungicide, builds strong bones, high in Vitamin A for vision and Vitamin K for blood clotting
Dill - antioxidant, relaxant, respiratory health
Fennel -laying stimulant
Garlic - laying stimulant
Lavender - stress reliever, increases blood circulation, highly aromatic, insecticide
Lemon Balm - stress reliever, antibacterial, highly aromatic, rodent repellent
Marigold - laying stimulant
Marjoram - lay stimulant
Mint (all kinds) - insecticide and rodent repellent
Nasturtium - laying stimulant, antiseptic, antibiotic, insecticide, wormer
Oregano - combats coccidia, salmonella, infectious bronchitis, avian flu, blackhead and e-coli
Parsley - high in vitamins, aids in blood vessel development, laying stimulant
Peppermint - anti-parasitic, insecticide
Pineapple Sage - aids nervous system, highly aromatic
Rose Petals - highly aromatic, high in Vitamin C
Rosemary - pain relief, respiratory health, insecticide
Sage - antioxidant, anti-parasitic
Spearmint - antiseptic, insecticide, stimulates nerve, brain and blood functions
Tarragon - antioxidant
Thyme - respiratory health, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-parasitic
Read more: http://www.grit.com/animals/nesting-box-herbs-chicken-aromatherapy.aspx#ixzz3CAaAQUeq

wooden eggs...check, rose petals...chick, lemon balm...check

My marigolds were wet so I think I will wait to pick them on a dry sunny day.

And Emmy threw in a little pep talk.  I have a video but I thought it best not to post it here.  Maybe check on Instagram if you want to hear it.