The Poultry Keeper

stephen · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 8:48 am Post subject: Black Rocks

This thread is for Black Rocks

phil and charlotte · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Posts: 114 Location: South Somerset

Anyone got a photo?

Bhindi · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 10:18 am Post subject:

Its the real Bhindi, though she doesn't sport much of the Black, she is from the Muirfield Hatchery who claim 'true' breeding stock!

I love her to bits, though she is a mouthy budgie!!

phil and charlotte · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Posts: 114 Location: South Somerset

One of my four is, apart from her tail, as brown as yours is in the neck. Mine seem to be slow to mature - only one is laying and they're all about 24 weeks old. Were yours as slow?

Bhindi · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 12:38 pm Post subject:

Yes I think they were, but they all got going around about the same time. Its bound to happen any day now if their 24 weeks. Whats a few days when theve got a life time of laying ahead of them. (I wish I could reward my gals with a rest-- it seems such an intensive task)

deanojul67 · Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 342

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CrazyLady · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 37 Location: Gloucestershire

hi i have just bought 6 black rocks i brought them home today and i love them already. is there any advice you can give me as i haven't kept chickens before. they are 18 weeks old and haven't started laying yet and we were thinking of putting a light in their shed to keep them laying over winter does anyone have any experience of this? if so when should i start to use the light and what is the best way of doing it?

thanks

lilly the pink · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 78 Location: Wiltshire

If the hens are newly into lay they will usually lay over the winter without needing any extra light. Thats been my experience with black rocks. Hopefully they will start to lay soon as they are fairly reliable in this regard.

Bhindi · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 9:23 pm Post subject:

My girls laid all through last winter for me, Didn't think that was just because they were still young, but either way I wouldn't want to 'force' them to lay. They can take a break as far as I'm concerned..(Ive got 6 too)

I'm pleased on your new arrivals Crazylady, they are a perfect waste of time and you will love watching them.

CrazyLady · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 37 Location: Gloucestershire

my girls haven't started laying yet is there anything i can do to encourage them to start or is it a case of waiting for nature to take it course?

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Wait for nature to take it's course is the only option. Wink

Even if there were another choice, I wouldn't want to upset the balance of nature with them. They give so much to us once it starts, that they deserve to take their sweet time getting there. Very Happy

phil and charlotte · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Posts: 114 Location: South Somerset

Yipee!!!!!!!! Very Happy

Didn't check the coop yesterday - too busy, but found three eggs at 8 am, and when I went out to top up the feeder at 11 am there were another 2 eggs !!!!!!!!!!!!! Very Happy

What's for supper tonight? Eggs, I'll be bound.

phil and charlotte · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Posts: 114 Location: South Somerset

Oh - and it's 2 days since (on advice from another keeper) I showed the hens a packet of Paxo stuffing! Razz

Aussie Chick · Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 12:40 pm Post subject:

Well done, The eggs are just so delicious. Sam and I just ate egg numbers 3 and 4 on Toast for lunch! They are only slightly bigger each day, today's was 38grams, ((((bless))), she's so protective of them. I think she ( Lilly the chicken) would make a good broody.

Enjoy your dinner!

NannyP · Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 12:47 pm Post subject: