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trish Forum All-Star
Joined: April 11 2007 Location: Canada
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Posted: Oct 11 2007 at 8:56am | IP Logged
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This is soo cute. We bought chicks this spring in the hopes that we'd be able to get our own free-range eggs. Well last night my dd 11 (whose job it is to feed the chickens) came in all excited with two little brown eggs in her hands.
My two sons 5 and 7 looked at her with wide eyes. Ds 5 said "Those came from our chickens?" I tried hard not to laugh. He was shocked to say the least. My ds7 couldn't believe it either. "You mean we can eat them?"
My dh and I were laughing by this point. All summer long they kept asking us when the chickens were going to start laying eggs. Now that it's happening they can't believe it. I wonder who is going to want to let the chickens out today?
__________________ ~ Trish ~
Wife to Les
Mom to 8 Wonderful Kids
+AMDG+
Saintly Soaps
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Chari Forum Moderator
Joined: Jan 28 2005 Location: California
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Posted: Oct 11 2007 at 10:44am | IP Logged
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Congratulations from someone who also enjoys fresh eggs!
__________________ Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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MichelleW Forum All-Star
Joined: April 01 2005 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Oct 11 2007 at 11:37am | IP Logged
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It is SO exciting when those chickens start laying! Congratulations! It's like a treasure hunt now.
__________________ Michelle
Mom to 3 (dd 14, ds 15, and ds 16)
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lilac hill Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 15 2005
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Posted: Oct 12 2007 at 6:14am | IP Logged
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Congratulations.
Still waiting for ours to start. Since they are a large breed we expect the hens to start laying in November.
__________________ Viv
Wife to Rick (7/83), Mom to dd#1(6/87), dd#2(1/90), and dd#3(6/94) in central PA.
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trish Forum All-Star
Joined: April 11 2007 Location: Canada
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Posted: Oct 12 2007 at 10:18am | IP Logged
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Thanks everyone!
We didn't expect them to start laying until November either. So these are bonus eggs The boys ate 'their' eggs for breakfast yesterday and have since found two more. I hope the excitement doesn't wear off too quickly.
__________________ ~ Trish ~
Wife to Les
Mom to 8 Wonderful Kids
+AMDG+
Saintly Soaps
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donnalynn Forum All-Star
Joined: July 24 2006
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Posted: Oct 12 2007 at 10:23am | IP Logged
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Thanks for sharing - just wait until they catch a hen in the process of laying an egg! Now that's exciting.
__________________ donnalynn
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aussieannie Forum All-Star
Joined: May 21 2006 Location: Australia
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Posted: Oct 12 2007 at 10:35pm | IP Logged
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Trish, there is a special beauty and wonder for children in keeping chickens and collecting their eggs - we have had ours now for almost 2 years and the facination for them has not worn off.
Dried Stinging nettle and comfrey (fresh) are two excellent herbs to increase their egg production and extend their laying years.
__________________ Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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trish Forum All-Star
Joined: April 11 2007 Location: Canada
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Posted: Oct 13 2007 at 8:12am | IP Logged
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Thanks Anne,
I didn't know about those herbs being good for chickens. I wish I would have known sooner. Our place has quite a bit of stinging nettle growing around in the trees. I don't think a week went by without some child getting 'stung'. Went through a bit of Rhus Tox ointment. I could have dried plenty. As for the comfrey.. now that is something we don't have. I'll have to look into growing that next spring in my little herb garden.
__________________ ~ Trish ~
Wife to Les
Mom to 8 Wonderful Kids
+AMDG+
Saintly Soaps
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lilac hill Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 15 2005
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Posted: Oct 13 2007 at 10:36am | IP Logged
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Finishing a new hen house this weekend (rebuilt the solar wood kiln into the hens winter quarters). Once I move the birds from the chicken tractor, I will give them 13-14 hours of light to keep them laying through the winter months. we have the light bulb on a timer to turn on at 4 AM and off at about 9AM. As the winter progresses the timer is set back to 3AM.
Even with the nice new coop, I nkow they will spend most of their time outdoors, except on days where it is actually snowing.
__________________ Viv
Wife to Rick (7/83), Mom to dd#1(6/87), dd#2(1/90), and dd#3(6/94) in central PA.
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chicken lady Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 27 2005 Location: N/A
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Posted: Oct 13 2007 at 11:49am | IP Logged
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Congratulations We say it is like Easter morning everyday at our house, as we hunt down our breakfast eggs
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