No, I am not going to try to lay eggs as my title would suggest.
I am combining a few ideas to see if I can encourage my hennies to keep laying through winter. As our aim is always to suburban farm as organically and environmentally stress free as possible I am not going to push my hens to do anything that they aren't physically up to. So using heat and lights to falsely extend their days is not whats in mind. I am supplementing their normal layers mash/pellets with fortnightly (mmm sometimes weekly) feeds of porridge. Cooked with water and cooled with cows milk.
As well as fortnightly sunflower seeds. 1 tsp per bird, per fortnight.
These supplements I have read will give the bird the extra nutrients they need to continue laying through winter as well as through moulting. Moulting and winter use more of the birds energy.
I have also filled their little house with plenty of hay to help insulate the place. Photos to come tomorrow
I know I am not the first person to spoil her hennies but very curious to see how they go with these added diet supplements. A few things working in my favour for those of you playing at home; I live in QLD, Australia=>no snow. Also 2 of my hennies are in their second laying season, 1 is in her first and the 4th one is yet to start. The older 2 are ISA brown egg laying mix breed. SO they are all pretty keen to lay anyway.
If you have any opinions on this please feel free to comment!!
About Me
- suburban farm girl
- This is my 'online diary' as we turn our little plot of suburbia land into the best farm we can. Self sufficiency is our dream as we battle the Urban jungle. Is anyone reading this? I'm not quite sure. Is anyone going to follow my journey? Well if your reading this right now why not hit 'Follow' and see how things work out on our Suburban Farm! -Be the change you want to see-
Monday, 30 May 2011
ooopsy
Well its been awhile since I last posted! Just under 2 months actually. Been too busy changing that place called work and trying to build up our little paradise!
I no longer work in the awful hell-hole I was in. I now have a much better paying job in the city that constantly challenges my brain. LOVE THAT.
On the only downside I have to leave for work an hour earlier (now at 7am). I get home sometimes earlier and sometimes at the same time as my previous position.
I drive 10 kms to the bus stop and 10kms home (that kinda maketh sense now doesn't it) and my bus ride costs $8 per day. Im saving money, saving car expenses and also taking one more car off the road. Actually I read on a sign in the bus this morning that for every full bus (I do ride an overly packed up bus) is 40 cars off the road.
Cannot WAIT for winter to be over even though it doesn't officially start for 2 more days! I always look forward to that wondrous day in June. THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR. Why do I look forward to it? because from that day on the days start getting longer again.
I no longer work in the awful hell-hole I was in. I now have a much better paying job in the city that constantly challenges my brain. LOVE THAT.
On the only downside I have to leave for work an hour earlier (now at 7am). I get home sometimes earlier and sometimes at the same time as my previous position.
I drive 10 kms to the bus stop and 10kms home (that kinda maketh sense now doesn't it) and my bus ride costs $8 per day. Im saving money, saving car expenses and also taking one more car off the road. Actually I read on a sign in the bus this morning that for every full bus (I do ride an overly packed up bus) is 40 cars off the road.
Cannot WAIT for winter to be over even though it doesn't officially start for 2 more days! I always look forward to that wondrous day in June. THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR. Why do I look forward to it? because from that day on the days start getting longer again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)