As a poultry Fannie Merritt Farmer and a fowl author , I am always happy to help my fellow poulet keepers to the best of my ability . I garner the nickname “ Chelsea Chicken Lady ” for my local poultry activism and activities . But , thanks to the internet , my neighborhood is global and so are the questions I receive .
I ’ve selected three of the most uncouth inquiries , along with my answers , to share here , just in case you ’ve been ask yourself the same fowl question .
Why do my hens lay different-sized eggs?
This is one of the most common poultry doubtfulness I get . The size of the egg is mold by three central factors : breed , sizing , and historic period .
Some breeds — like the Orpington , Welsummer and the Rhode Island Red — lay big eggs , while other strain , such as the Fayoumi and Hamburg , lay small egg .
The size of the biddy also influence the size of an egg . A bigger layer , with a larger wasted structure , can improve accommodatethe development of larger eggsthan can a smaller hen of the same breed .
Similarly , frier — which have not yet reached maturity date — lean to lie smaller testis than their sometime flockmates . This is n’t to say that a small fryer ca n’t lay a gargantuan egg … or that an old chick ca n’t put down a wind or “ fart ” egg .
As a young bird ’s testis - production system matures — or as an aging biddy ’s organisation decelerate down — eggs can unexpectedly vary in size .
Can I ship chicks or adult birds to other countries and continents?
Shipping baby chicks and grownup chickens across state of matter telephone line in the U.S. is a tricky job . The majority of states require that the poultry farms and hatchery of origin be indorse by theNational Poultry Improvement Plan(NPIP ) .
Beyond that , theUnited States Postal Servicehas strict necessity for the shipment of live animals . Meeting these shipping requirements is not easy for a low lot owner .
ship springy razz to another commonwealth — or another continent — would ask to the full the following :
With so many obstacles to overcome , I choose not to attempt international shipment . I would recommend the same for other modest - poultry operations .
hen await a small scruffy ? Here ’s what it could entail .
My hen looks awful by the end of summer. I’m thinking of selling her. Should I tell my potential buyer she does this every year?
I strongly consider that honesty is the practiced policy when it add up to client . client help is how you work up community and create a returning patronage .
However , before you sell off your scruffy hen , be aware that you might be stress to get rid of your best egg bed . hen draw the calcium and protein take for the development of eggs from their own castanets and feathers .
The more productive the stratum , the scruffy she will look . Her appearing will reflect the deficiencies in her torso as the Ca and protein go towards egg production . That gorgeous , fully fledge hen wandering around the run in September is most likely nowhere most as productive an egg stratum as that scruffy , sick - search biddy you are think of deal .
A quick note : you may want to take add an oyster - shell postscript to your hens ’ provender for additional calcium . A feed with a high protein percentage could avail their feather — and testicle — development , too .
I hope this resolve your fowl question !
