This winter was tough. Not weather tough, but predator tough. I have for 12 years allowed the chickens to free range. No fences, no boundaries. They get to enjoy running through the forest and yard on their own accord. Unfortunately there has been some heavy losses this winter. Walton and Venus were taken. Walton would have been coming into his first full year and I was excited for the potential. Yet things don’t always go to plan when you allow them free range. In a desperate attempt I hatched out some older eggs, not a single one survived due to the predators. The raccoon figured out how to open the door. And several others were drug off. What I am left with is a flock of 6 hens and 1 rooster. The rooster who i named Ennu, is a big E phenotype. he has some red leakage and the beautiful mottle with rose comb (see below). After a long break of three months without laying the hens have begun again. I am getting 6 eggs a day with the largest clocking in at 64 grams. The color is a deeper brown so I am happy. I had a worry that I would never get my egg size over 60 again due to the cross in of the Orust breed. Whose eggs are small and barely 45g. but making some concerted effort over the years to only hatch out of larger eggs, I am definitely seeing the results.
Mo mo with bl
Enno and some of the gals in the forest.
Selfie with Enno;)
First dozen eggs from the girls.
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