…when treats are involved! It never gets old. Happy little chickens knowing that they are about to get their daily treats. As I squatted today in front of the run fumbling with the lock, I snapped this picture. When they hear me yell out “giiiiiiiiirrrrrrrllllllsss” they come running. Leaping up from their dust baths or out of a nesting box from freshly laying an egg; they are there at the door, like exuberant dogs greeting their owners.
Photo Credit: Tilly’s Nest
6 thoughts on “Self Containment is Not Possible…”
I just discovered your blog. I love it. I have a question. What kind of hen is Sunshine? I have 10 of the same and love them but the store where we bought them as babies said they were California White's and I don't think mine are. I am a new chickenphile.
Welcome Will and Tracy to Tilly's Nest and to the wonderful world of backyard chickens. Sunshine is a Buff Orpington. Her sister is Oyster Cracker.
I have a question for you, can too many treats cause chickens to stop laying? I was getting 2-4 eggs a day from my 5 girls who had been laying for 2-3 weeks. Last week I gave them more treats than normal mostly veggies, a little fruit and now they're not laying. Does a sudden stop in interacting with them (due to weather) impact laying?
Hi Kim! Yes, too many treats can stop them from laying. Decreased interaction should not affect them, but they do need a high protein diet. Try giving them dried meal worms for snacks and sunflower seeds and limit the fruits and veggies to about 2 cups per day. Try to have them stick to eating their layer feed and make sure they have access to the feed especially before bed; as the egg forms at night while they sleep 🙂 Lastly, if the girls are over a year old, they should molt around this time. Egg production naturally decreases. Keep us posted!
Congratulations on sharing a whole year of your adventure with all of us. I got my girls about the same time as you and I have laughed and cried along with your posts!
Thank you SAKim. Your kind words mean so much to me. I am touched.