Going on holiday - Collecting the eggs - feeding and watering.

[SarahBrenchley]

Every winter I leave out farm and our chickens for periods of around 4 weeks.
Setting up an automatic drinking systems and food hoppers is fairly easy but egg collection is more of a headache.

If too many eggs pile up then apparently it will trigger the urge to sit on them. So how do you get them to roll away and then not smash?

For the last 3 years I have been using my Eggstractor which is basically a modified crate. It costs less than 5$ to make one even if you only have very rudimentary DIY skills. As far as I know it is not possible to buy one commercially.

There is a video which explains about it on my blog if you are interested.

Here is a link.

http://cortijoblog.com/2018/04/02/the-eggstractor-homemade-autonomous-egg-collector/

 

[EggSighted4Life]

If too many eggs pile up then apparently it will trigger the urge to sit on them.

That is a myth... sitting is hormonal and not triggered by a pretty pile of eggs. My gals go broody even though I collect eggs every single day. And others NEVER will.

But a pile of eggs is a great way to get an accidental break and some veracious nest eating habits developed. In addition to possibly being a delicious snack for a predator that happens upon them.

That's a pretty cool contraption you've got there.

We do have roll away nests... but I'm not sure what their storage capacity it. And home made always rocks!

 

[BobDBirdDog]

Every winter I leave out farm and our chickens for periods of around 4 weeks........

I dont know your set up, but around here, most chickens wont sit eggs in the winter.
Gussing you have a fancy lighting and heating setup (with a back up generator to keep the water from freezing if the electricity goes out).

My DYI approach is more simple.
Simply tell a trusting neighbor they can have the fresh eggs for the month if they will come pull them every day or few days (according to how many birds you have). Just feed and water them for me.

Or you could put up a sign that says "Fresh Eggs for the Picken". Just go in the coop and pick them off the vine.... feed and water the birds while your at it!

either way ........close the door when you leave!!!!!

But if all fails, and the bird does start sitting, well you come home to some babby chicks as it takes about a month to hatch, plus time to build a clutch of eggs.