mtrueman Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Hi all Had our girls for a couple of months now and have our first questions. We have been feeding layer pellets to all of our girls (4 largefowl and 6 bantams) direct onto the ground (they are in a large walk in run). We tried to feed them using a feeder but they didnt seem interested in it at all. We would rather not feed them by scattering food around as it could attract vermin and we are worried that it might prevent effective worming. Does anyone have any comments or suggestions on the best way to feed them? We were getting 2 eggs a day from the largefowl, but production has dropped off completely for the last week or so. Nothing has really changed, but i have a hunch that they may be moulting as there are quite a few feathers around and about in the run. Is it common for them to moult at this time of year? I was under the impression it was more of an autumn thing, but could our strange weather of late have confused the hens into thinking its time to moult. They dont look messy, in terms of their feathers, so im not really sure. We have also had the suggestion that adding a cockerel to our group will increase egg production as the girls will feel more secure. Is this correct? Thanks in advance for you help Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtrueman Posted May 22, 2011 Author Share Posted May 22, 2011 By the way, our largefowl are 2 Amber Stars (slightly older, not sure on exact age but guessing at a few years) and 2 Rhode Island Reds (point of lay) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelbel Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 You've not said how old your girls are, nor the breeds - saving you've had them for a few months suggests they are still young and not in the swing of laying if they are old enough. I'd persevere with the feeder and stop putting their feed on the floor - they won't starve! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelbel Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Sorry - did not see the 2nd post! But their ages says it all. The older ones could be coming to the end of their laying time and the younger ones - well, as you say POL. So they've either not started or it's early days and they are haphazard. Re getting a cock - I'm no expert but surely you'd get less eating eggs as they'd be fertilised! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 it's a bit of an 'old wives tale' that cocks encourage laying, so i wouldn't recommend going down that line. They'll hassle the 4 girls quite a lot too and my end up being too big for your bantams. By the way, there's no problem in eating fertile eggs - all of us with cocks do it, and sell them too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
