August was a productive month. The chickens all started laying eggs and we were collecting about 5 or 6 eggs a DAY! I have determined that chickens are very smart. I will admit I wasn't sure what to expect, but they are just like a cat in the fact that they know exactly where to go to lay their eggs. We didn't have to teach them to go into the nesting boxes to lay their eggs. And they are smart like dogs in the fact that they recognize us and will run towards me when they see I have food. They also just like to be around humans. Just hanging out on the pool deck on a hot summer day with me :)
.jpeg)
They are also very much like another other pet because they get upset when I don't pay them enough attention. I recently started going back to work full time and boy do the chickens get mad if they are left alone all day stuck in the coop. And they let you know by the loud squawks as I walk away from them in the morning and also by laying less eggs. Yes, I notice a decrease in eggs when they do not have the freedom to roam around in the yard. And rightfully so, I mean they have a 8 ft by 8 ft "run" and then the smaller, covered coop area but I can only imagine that gets boring after awhile. They are very curious creatures and love pecking around the yard.
So one of the funnier things that I noticed last month - I had let them out one day while I was home and heard the loud squawking that usually comes after they lay an egg. So I went out to check, however no one was in the nesting box and Spooks was over in the weeds behind the pool deck. I went over to check and sure enough she had created her own little nesting area and laid an egg in the yard! I know I said that they know were to go when they lay eggs, but I guess she liked this spot better. She had dug a nice little hole in the cool dirt under the weeds and proceeded to lay her eggs in the same spot several days.
It must have just been a phase - because now Spooks is back to laying eggs in the nesting box.
Another new update is a ceramic egg carton that I received as a birthday present from a friend. It is awesome! I put the eggs that we will egg in this carton and put the other ones in regular egg cartons to give away to friends and family. Since we have high production, we easily collect a couple dozen eggs and there is no way we can eat them - so we give them away. I love handing out eggs - everyone is always so excited to look at them and excited to see what they taste like. It feels good to be able to give people food that you have grown from chickens you have raised - delicious and good for you too!
It will be interesting to see as the weather cools down, how it affects their egg production, if at all. I know that they are enjoying the cooler weather though instead of sweltering through the hot and humid days we had earlier this month. But aren't we all enjoying this beautiful weather!
Have a great week and maybe you will be the next to receive a dozen eggs from the Steed farm :)
They are also very much like another other pet because they get upset when I don't pay them enough attention. I recently started going back to work full time and boy do the chickens get mad if they are left alone all day stuck in the coop. And they let you know by the loud squawks as I walk away from them in the morning and also by laying less eggs. Yes, I notice a decrease in eggs when they do not have the freedom to roam around in the yard. And rightfully so, I mean they have a 8 ft by 8 ft "run" and then the smaller, covered coop area but I can only imagine that gets boring after awhile. They are very curious creatures and love pecking around the yard.
So one of the funnier things that I noticed last month - I had let them out one day while I was home and heard the loud squawking that usually comes after they lay an egg. So I went out to check, however no one was in the nesting box and Spooks was over in the weeds behind the pool deck. I went over to check and sure enough she had created her own little nesting area and laid an egg in the yard! I know I said that they know were to go when they lay eggs, but I guess she liked this spot better. She had dug a nice little hole in the cool dirt under the weeds and proceeded to lay her eggs in the same spot several days.
Another new update is a ceramic egg carton that I received as a birthday present from a friend. It is awesome! I put the eggs that we will egg in this carton and put the other ones in regular egg cartons to give away to friends and family. Since we have high production, we easily collect a couple dozen eggs and there is no way we can eat them - so we give them away. I love handing out eggs - everyone is always so excited to look at them and excited to see what they taste like. It feels good to be able to give people food that you have grown from chickens you have raised - delicious and good for you too!
Have a great week and maybe you will be the next to receive a dozen eggs from the Steed farm :)
