Weekly Chicken Gazette Issue #14🐓

Welcome to this weeks issue of @mother2chicks Weekly Chicken Gazette Issue #14.

Hard to believe it's already been 14 weeks since the Gazette began. It will stay weekly. I decided to move it to a different day instead of doing a Saturday's posting and have decided to add a "Fast Facts" section to the Gazette near the bottom. It will stay weekly.

My Cochin "Blue" has a injury to her leg. I noticed one evening mid-week she was laying in the corner of the coop on the ground. Thinking that was odd, not her usual behavior I went in, picked her up and placed her in one of the nest boxes. It was unusual for her to allow me to handle her at all. When I let the girls out to free range for awhile, she had a oblivious limp. I felt around for a broken bone and looked for any cuts, couldn't find anything. There is some swelling of her foot. Will watch her and see if she gets better....

Many of us homesteaders here on steemit raise hens as a hobby or for the eggs. Some of us newer chicken owners wait patiently for that first egg, a week passes and then a month passes and... nothing. Zero,Zilch, Nada!

Why are my Chickens not laying?

Sometimes hens suddenly stop laying for no apparent reason. Molt is obivious as is illness. So what might be going on as we wonder why are there less eggs awaiting us in the morning? I put on my investigator hat on and went looking for answers.

Changing Seasons
In the old days chickens only laid eggs in Spring and into mid-Summer. The reason for this is that chickens lay eggs to reproduce during the warmer months when the weather is good and there is more food available. Given the opportunity most hens will still as nature intended. They need a minimum of 14 to 16 hours of daylight to keep them laying. Conditions are also optimal for raising chicks. When the days get shorter their bodies sense a change of season-egg production slows down and may even stop.

All hens, much like human females, are born with a finite number of egg cells and once they are gone-no more eggs.

Stress
Stressed hens either lay weird eggs or none at all. A bad scare, running out of food or water, disruptions in the pecking order (like adding a amorous rooster to the flock), or a move cases them stress. A bad storm (Irma) can really stress chickens out and it could take a month or longer before they start laying again. Still only 4 of my 8 hens are laying.

I learned from my good friend @artedellavita that adding unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar like "Braggs" can help chickens manage stress. Just add 4 to 5 tablespoons to a gallon water. Many of you regular readers know about adding electrolytes to the water helps during the hot summer months.

Feeding and Supplementation Issues
An average layers' skeleton contains 20 grams of calcium and just making one egg represents 10% of their total amount. They do have calcium stored in their bodies, but if they do not get enough calcium from their food for creating egg shells they get depleted quickly and will stop laying.

It's important to all laying hens to eat balanced layer feed either mash or pellets with a minimum of 16% protein. I use pellets. Keeping their feeder full and adding a calcium supplement like oyster shell offered ensures they get enough nutrition. Don't forget the granite grit, it helps them digest their food properly. Just toss some around and they will find it.

Feeding too much treats, mealworms, bread, veggie scraps and scratch means the hens will eat less of the good food. I have myself been guilty of giving them GMO free bread to lure them into the coop.

Molting
Molting allows hens to replace old, worn feathers by shedding them and growing new ones. It is usually triggered by shorter days. Although a stressful event can trigger it as well. Most hens molt once a year, usually in the fall. Sprouting new feathers takes a lot of a chickens resources.

I thought it was a couple of weeks. Molting takes between 2 and 6 months to complete and unfortunately it cannot be hurried. Adding some extra protein to their feed will help keep their energy up during this time.

Diseases and parasite infestations
This can definitely cause hens to lay less or even stop laying completely. Controlling a parasite infestation is imperative and if a hen shows any signs of illness she should be isolated and treated ASAP. Some of the most common parasites that can cause a drop in egg production are mites, lice and fleas.

Internal parasites to look for are roundworms and tape worms. This grosses me out. Deworm if you find evidence in the poop. Do it at least yearly if in doubt! Eggs laid during the 14 day period following worming should be discarded and not incubated. The wormer residue within the eggs causes severely handicapped chicks that ultimately die.

Other common diseases that can affect egg laying are coccidiosis and chronic respiratory infections caused by mold or other bacteria. Most disease can be prevented and controlled by maintaining good hygiene practices and isolating ill chickens. Vaccines are also available, but I'm not sure I want to inject a chicken.

Broodiness
When hens get broody their hormones tell them to stop laying eggs and incubate and hatch chicks instead. They will sit in the nest box all day and night, refuse to get up and sit on others eggs if given the opportunity. I do have lots of experience with this and her name is Brownie!

Age
The average age a hen begins laying is 6 months. Some smaller breeds like Leghorns and Easter Eggers lay sooner and larger breeds like Wyandottes and Orpingtons start later. The first couple of years are a hens most productive. By 5 years old she is a senior and will lay half as much. Prolific egg layers like Leghorns have two egg laying cycles of 50 to 60 weeks and after those cycles end there will be a noticeably sharp decrease in egg production.

Predation
Coyotes and raccoons aren't the only predators to worry about when it comes to protecting chickens. Other reasons eggs may have gone missing are mice, rats, and snakes raiding the coop, so ensure the coop/run is predator proof. I suggest using tight mesh style wire for the coop.

Fast Facts
The average egg in the grocery store can be up to 8 weeks old by the time you buy it!

A hen needs approximately 5 ounces of food and 10 ounces of water to produce just 1 egg!

Weekly Egg Count
Why am I even bothering with this...Four are consistently laying, the Leghorns and Shelly the EE. So about 2 to 4 a day.

Purchases this week
None, I will have to make some this next week.

This Weeks Recipe
This frittata can be a simple brunch or weeknight supper dish, if you don't have fresh thyme, just use dried.

8 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon snipped fresh thyme or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 medium potatoes
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced

1. In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, thyme, the salt and the pepper. Set aside.
2. Scrub potatoes and peel. Rinse and dry well.
3. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise. Cut each of the halves crosswise into thin, half-circle slices about 2 cups worth. Set aside.
4. In a 9 or 10 inch cast-iron skillet or a large ovenproof skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic. Cook, uncovered for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add the potatoes and cook for another 7 to 10 minutes or until potatoes are just tender and starting to brown, stirring occasionally.
6. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet. Cook over medium heat. As the mixture sets, run a spatula around edge of skillet, lifting egg mixture so the uncooked portion flows underneath. Continue cooking and lifting edges until egg mixture is almost set, about 6 to 8 minutes total (top will be moist).
7. Place skillet in a 350 degrees oven and bake, uncovered, for 6 to 8 minutes or until top is just set.
8. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Add cheese if you like, I love cheese...

Stay tuned to @mother2chicks for next weeks Issue #15

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