I ordered some new pullets for this spring, and I got the call last week that they were ready to be picked up. Thirty, sixteen -week-old Red Sex Links have come to live with us...
For the first week, they hung out in the shed all day long. I went in to their pen every day...to feed them of course...and they gradually got used to seeing me around. Now when they see me, they come running! (maybe my coveralls say "she's got food!" on them)
The past few days, they've been spending a lot more time outside, getting used to their surroundings...and getting used to the dog. Do you see Murphy laying in the garden just on the other side of the fence?
They enjoy taking dust baths in the holes that the previous "tenants" made in the dirt...
After the "new" girls have adjusted even better to their new home, I'll put the old and young chickens together in the large pen. The "old" girls are beginning to lay again, now that the daylight hours are lengthening. I was pleased to find nine eggs from twelve chickens one day this week!
On Sunday, Jenna found the first pullet egg, a tiny double yolker! Today I found two more...
They are so tiny compared to the much larger eggs that were laid by my old Barred Rock hens, and look at the difference in their colors. It won't take long until their eggs are as big as...if not bigger than...the others.
I won't sell them until they're bigger, so until then, we'll likely be eating lots of scrambled eggs!
Oh I love chickens and fresh eggs I wish I lived closer. I also wished we lived closer for that lunch and hike in the wilderness. Hug B
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you got pullets. I am so glad mine are laying again. I really do not like buying eggs. I need new hens, because once you get used to 4 dozen a day it is hard to go back to 10 a day.
ReplyDeleteI love new hens.
The food sign is not on your coveralls. It is my opinion that someone during the night tattooed that word in invisible ink that only my animals can see on my forehead. A visit to the pigs without bringing food or treats results in them giving me a scolding. Good luck with the egg production.
ReplyDeleteGood looking pullets! I'm going to have to wait about 3 months for eggs from our new ones.
ReplyDeleteLooks from the pictures like you are having some nice sunny weather!
Congrats! Your flock is growing. It funny how they quickly learn who feeds them. They have a wonderful large home. The first time I noticed one of my flock hunkered down taking a breather from its dust bath I thought my poor chick was dead. Two years ago I ventured to raise some chicks. The three girls are laying some days now. Mr. Rooster took to biting & flogging again this week. My arm has the battle wounds to show. Blessings! Lara
ReplyDeleteHow nice to be getting eggs again! I think I might try and add a few chickens this fall.
ReplyDeleteHow neat that you were able to buy them almost full grown so that you didn't have to wait too long for eggs! My girls are picking up production with the longer days too. I try to make at least one supper a week based on eggs, mostly because I LOVE them! LOL!!
ReplyDeleteHi Alica ~ what a big flock you've got there! I can only imagine how wonderful it is to have all those fresh eggs. Does it take awhile for the old hens to accept the new ones? Cheers, Jenni
ReplyDeleteYour new redheads are good looking girls. They didn't take long to make themselves at home and went right to work. Farm fresh eggs are certainly much better than what we get in the store.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could find a local source for ready-to-lay sex link pullets. We love those girls. Unfortunately I lost most of my flock to a predator, probably raccoons and just have three Sex Links left and two very old hens. Yours are lovely.
ReplyDeleteLove your chickens! They look like they have adjusted well. Enjoy those precious little eggs. Before long, they will be regular size.
ReplyDeleteYour chickens are lovely! Your header photo is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteTrying to get caught up on blog-reading this morning, Alica and now I see you have some beautiful new chickens! I wish I could find a few the same age for our flock.
ReplyDeleteYour chickens look great! I'm hoping we'll get some next year. I need a little time to prepare--both mentally and physically.
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