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I agree that pellets work much better in gravity fed systems. However, chickens are voracious eaters and will fill their crop with whatever is available whether they prefer pellets or crumbles. The only thing feed related that will affect egg production is nutrition or a lack of feed. There are...

I doubt there is any relationship since it is the same food. Crumbles and pellets start life exactly the same made from the same formula. The exact same mix of legumes and grains run through a hammermill mixed with the vitamin, mineral, amino acid and fat supplements along with a binding agent...

We're well after winter solstice so temperature won't have any impact if one is in the Northern hemisphere. Days are now longer than nights. Most birds should be in full swing now if they're of egg laying age.

State thread. Some times there are multiples and country/continent threads. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread

Congratulations. It's been a long time since I ran races. I used to do 10k. I should start that back up again.

Great pictures, I saw that up here too. If the same age, I would watch this video on how to select roosters for building better birds. If both check out the same, then select the color you like best to transfer to his daughters.

My chickens eat a lot of things they shouldn't. I don't worry. If all they had to eat was Hosta leaves, that would be a problem. I assume you have more greenery than that. They tend not to eat things they shouldn't. However, they are voracious eaters and if a complete, fresh chicken feed is...

I don't think anything is wrong. They are young and we are after the summer solstice. Days are getting shorter so onset of lay is delayed. Check the space between their pointy pelvic bones. If it is 2 fingers or more, eggs are imminent. If less than that, you need to wait longer. Waiting is a...

You sound like me. I have 8 housing units in 5 buildings. Sorry you lost her. Nice to hear a Barny is laying dark eggs though. Do you know why she died? Well, that's not really cold for chickens. A few nights ago, one of my hens decided she didn't want to go inside to sleep and perched herself...

What breed was she? First winter for them? I've tracked daily production of 6 flocks. 2 have added light, the others don't. On the same spreadsheet I record daily high and low temperatures. For my part, I know it is anecdotal but there has never been a correlation between production and cold...

Is this their first winter?

Oh, IMHO, that is way too much cold protection unless you have cage birds or some fragile breed of chicken. I thought you may live near the north pole. What breeds do you have? It doesn't even get cold where you live. Your chickens are wearing down coats they go to bed with. You do know that...

Nice cover job but what about ventilation? Where are you located/climate?

I had a BO that never grew a big bright red comb but she laid religiously.

9 yesterday. Lowest total of the year. In 8 days I've gotten 87. Yesterday was 3/7, 3/7, 2/8, 1/2, 0/2, 0/2. The latter 4 units have no added light. The first 2 have had added light a couple months.

I want to know where you're located. This time of year, are you lighting or in the southern hemisphere?

That's not uncommon, especially if not adding light. Winter solstice was 2 weeks ago, so you may start getting eggs any time. When the entire flock stops laying, I switch from layer to grower feed. No egg shells means no need for 4% calcium. Since the first of the year (4 days): 20 from 7 hens...

It varies dramatically. Over 3 days - first day 10, 17 the next and then 6 yesterday.

I'm getting over a dozen a day. Added light to two coops. All 8 are laying in the coop I added light to first. About 4 or so are laying in the second one I added light to. Several summer pullets are laying in another building without light. 6 laying age birds in other units haven't laid in a...

It is better for it to be in the morning but the birds adjust and hop onto the roost long before the light goes out abruptly. Mine comes on at 5:30AM and no earlier because there are roosters in each building and that would guarantee they start crowing whenever the light comes on. The...