2 broody hens

[helomech]

My chickens are about 7 months old now, and laying great. Getting about 16 eggs a day. Two of them went broody last week, so in another 2 weeks I should have some new chicks. One hen was sitting on a empty nest, so I put 9 eggs under her and she is doing great now. The other is sitting on 6 eggs, and is also doing great. These black australorps are turning out to be a great breed.

[bacpacker]

Good news Helo. For some reason mine have just about quit laying. I can't figure out why, feed, temperature. Just can't figure it out.
Idea's???

[helomech]

I think we ended up with 18 eggs today out of 23 laying hens. I have 25 hens, but the two broody ones of course are not laying.

What are the temps where you live? It should not be that cold.

[bacpacker]

We are having some nights in the 30's. Maybe 1 or 2 below freezing. Still hittin 70 for highs

[helomech]

How many eggs are you getting a day, compared to how many you where getting? Egg production will decrease in the winter anytime they are not getting 12 hours of light.

[bacpacker]

We had just started getting eggs. Most days 1 or 2 one day 4. Now maybe 2 a week.

[helomech]

We just started getting eggs last month also. What breed do you have, and how many hens?

[Sparrow]

They sound like really great birds! I would love to see baby chick photos ... awwwwzzzzz!!!

[helomech]

Will post some up when they hatch. Here are what they looked like 7 months ago.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/home/IMG_0769.jpg

[bacpacker]

I've got Buff Orpington's. We have 6 hens right now, so i don't expect to be getting loads of eggs. I'm just surprised at the decrease all of a sudden without anything really changing that much.
One thing I'm starting to consider, we also have 6 roosters (just the way the day old chick's turned out when i got them) and they seem to be starting to fight some, The hens may not be feeding like they were. I will be putting most of them in the freezer soon.

[helomech]

Yeah, put all but one of those roosters in the freezer. The lower egg production probably has to do with the shorter days.

[bacpacker]

If so, that sucks. Have to wait till spring now. BUMMER!

[helomech]

I keep expecting my hens to slow down real soon. Do your chickens free range?

[bacpacker]

Nope. I have them in a chicken tractor. I know for sure I need to get them more room, but that's all I got right now.

[helomech]

Mine free range all day, maybe that has something to do with it. But I don't know.

[helomech]

Got a third broody hen now. Going to have more chickens than I know what to do with if this keeps up.