I'm happy to report that my girls are still laying eggs, at least a handful of them each day. With the temps getting bitter cold the trick is grabbing the eggs before they freeze, not always an easy task. Fortunately, Tim is home early enough to collect the fresh eggs and has made this chore a priority in his daily routine. We've been getting 7 -8 eggs each day, not bad on these dark days! I don't force egg production with lights, bells and whistles, rather let nature take its course. The three new White Leghorns are each producing an egg each and every day, amazing birds! They aren't my favorite breed otherwise, skittish and not at all friendly but holy cow do they do their job as production birds. My flock doesn't mind the cold, they are birds after all, but I work double time to keep them supplied with fresh water and warm digs. The heated dog bowl has worked the best for keeping their water from freezing and layers of cardboard inside their coop keeps them toasty warm on the cold winter nights. Of course, I've got several girls that sleep outside the hen house, but they have feathers and each other to keep warm. On the coldest of days I make them fresh pasta or mix warm water with some of their layer feed to give them warm mush, treats they love. I still need to find a chicken, cat sitter for when we're away on our vacation, Peps isn't interested in being home alone for a week! I had someone all lined up but her work schedule changed so I'm back to the drawing board. I imagine it wouldn't be a bad gig for someone, as long as they love cats and don't mind a bit of chicken care and egg collecting. I'll keep looking for a pet sitter, offer them up a sweet deal with all the eggs they can eat during their stay...as long as they collect them before they freeze!
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