Nice post, Kay. You answered a couple of questions. I wasn't sure about the dozen cats across the street. Wasn't sure a cat could/would crack an egg, but I did find suspicious shells under the porch.
I'm given to early rising and since I put Hanibelle in the coop about 5PM before going in to make dinner for David so I figure she deserves to get up and out and about around 6AM. I've been wondering about putting a window in the coop. Maybe the daylight would help her lay before I get her. Also, I don't think she eats till I open the door to the coop in the AM.
I'll keep an eye on her in the morning.
Every time I threaten to eat her my son raises objections. Funny to watch my 3 year old and the chicken. He carries her all over the yard and she seems to voice no objection probably because he feeds her. She must be about 4 kilos and she's all fluffed up so looks like he's carrying a pillow.
Allen in Pensacola.
--- In CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com, "crabbitoldwoman" <katydid1952@...> wrote:
>
>
> Re: How to manage free range egg laying in odd places?
> Hi! New member...love chickens...I too go crazy trying to find all the "secret" places they lay their eggs when I let them out to run as I sell free range eggs here at the farm and selling a rotten egg would not be good for business. I've discovered a good share of them lay their eggs in the morning so I wait and let them out late morning when most are done. Of course there's the few that "hold it in" until I let them out and it's funny to watch them high-tail it across the yard to their secret spot. I can almost hear them saying "I gotta go!!"
> On another note, my cats love the chickens and sleep with them and follow them eveywhere. That may have something to do with the fact that they have discovered someone lays a soft-shelled egg so they are always prowling through the nests looking for a snack.I don't mind, they keep down the rats and mice and probably weasels plus I don't have to stick my hand into a gooey mess anymore, as they lick it clean.
> While I'm on a roll here I wanted to mention the chickens have learned (well, most of them) that as long as they stay with the guard dogs they are safe from any predator including hawks as the dogs actually leap up at any bird that flies too low.
> There, I've gone on long enough. I love reading all the posts in this group. It's so interesting to read what everyone is doing.
> Kay in WNY
>
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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