L is for Laying!

Hens are quite funny - this morning before I opened the hatch, I opened the main door and there they all were waiting to leave by the hatch.

 

Despite the main door being open they still formed an orderly queue!

 

 



Once the hatch was opened they came out, ready to tackle their breakfast!

This morning they had some soaked bread...they prefer brown! lol!

As the weather is colder I ensure they have a nice porridge mix,

rice and corn to warm them up and keep them happy.

 

 



 

Our hens continue to lay their eggs and whilst production may drop slightly, we should have sufficient for our breakfast.

 

Eva was waiting to go inside and lay her egg.

 

 



Ernest was tootling about with Bev - so I knew who he was waiting for.......Mabel -

here she was inside. My garden bucket is very attractive to the hens. They are attracted to the colour red. This is why so many of their feeders have red trays.

 



Once Bev had done her work Eva popped in to do her bit for the Nesbitt breakfast table, as did the rest of the girls. Bev is always the last to lay, prefering the afternoon to the morning.

I was reading the weekly newsletter from the  local farm where we get our boxed vegetables,who have just installed lights in their henhouses to extend the hours of light the hens receive each day, thus ensuring the egg production is at its most. I have been considering this for some time, but really think that our hens are quite in tune with nature and the seasons so am leaving things be. We know if the night is going to be cold as the hens huddle together, instead of spreading out on their bench. Now the nights are drawing in they like an early night, usually all tucked up by 6.30pm.

Another day shared from the Nesbitt henhouse.
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