Discovered a hen eating eggs? This frustrating habit can spread through your flock quickly! Let’s understand why it happens and how to stop it. Why Egg Eating Starts: ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERY: 🥚Broken egg gets tasted 🥚Hen learns eggs = tasty treat 🥚Behavior reinforces quickly! NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES: 🥚Calcium deficiency 🥚Protein deficiency 🥚Overall poor nutrition MANAGEMENT ISSUES: ☀️Insufficient nest boxes ☀️Too much light in nests ☀️Thin-shelled eggs (break easily) ☀️Infrequent egg collection ☀️Boredom STRESS FACTORS: 🐔Overcrowding 🐔Lack of enrichment 🐔Competition for resources Prevention Strategies: NUTRITION: ✓ Complete layer feed (16-18% protein) ✓ Free-choice oyster shell for calcium ✓ Strong shells = fewer accidental breaks NEST BOX MANAGEMENT: ✓ Adequate bedding (cushions eggs) ✓ Darkened boxes (hens can’t see eggs well) ✓ Collect eggs frequently (2-3x daily minimum!) ✓ 1 box per 4-5 hens ENVIRONMENTAL: ✓ Reduce boredom with enrichment ✓ Adequate space per bird ✓ Provide things to peck (cabbage, treats) Breaking the Habit: IDENTIFY THE CULPRIT: 🐔Watch for yolk-stained beaks/feathers 🐔Observe flock around laying time INTERVENTIONS: 🥚Roll-away nest boxes (eggs roll out of reach) 🥚Ceramic/wooden fake eggs (frustrates pecking) 🥚Increase protein temporarily 🥚Fill blown eggs with mustard (unpleasant taste—works sometimes) 🥚Remove culprit temporarily LAST RESORT: Persistent egg eaters may need permanent separation. Behavior is extremely difficult to break once established, and it spreads to other hens! Key take-away: Prevention is far more effective than cure! Once established, egg eating has low success rate for correction. Your turn: ❓Ever dealt with an egg eater? What finally worked to stop it? ❓How often do you collect eggs daily? Is it enough? 🥚

Happy Sabbath, Everyone! Welcome back to Sabbath Skool Animal Trivia! This week’s story was actually inspired by what’s going on in our own household. Our family has been a little under the weather this week, and as I was praying and seeking comfort in the Word, this particular story jumped out at me. God’s faithfulness in times of sickness is such a beautiful theme throughout Scripture, and I couldn’t think of a better one to share with you all on Sabbath! This Week’s Question: We’re heading into the wilderness with the children of Israel! In the book of Numbers, God used a specific animal in a miraculous act of healing. The people were suffering, they cried out, and God gave Moses an unusual instruction, one that required nothing but faith and a look to be saved. Sound familiar? Jesus himself referenced this very story in John 3:14 and 15, connecting it to His own sacrifice on the cross. Just as Israel only had to look in faith at what God provided to be physically healed, we only have to look in faith to Christ lifted up on Calvary to receive eternal life. Same God. Same grace. Same story. What animal did God use in this wilderness miracle? Read carefully, because the way it brought healing is just as important as the animal itself! And just like trivia night, please no Googling! 😊 Hint: Start in Numbers 21, then read John 3:14 and 15 to see how Jesus connected this ancient story to the plan of salvation. 🌟 Fun Extra: After naming the animal, share one interesting fact about it, scientific, behavioral, or biblical! 😊 I’ll announce the answer tomorrow. May your Sabbath be filled with rest and the joy of discovery

Just a portrait of my “ladies” to wish you all a great long weekend 😃 Can you show me your chooks?

Good morning and Happy Sabbath, everyone! I pray you all had a smooth week, whether you were tending your flocks, dealing with spring weather surprises, or just trying to keep up with your busy birds! Wherever you are, I hope you get a moment to rest today and step outside to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine with your flock. 🌿🐓 If you have any specific prayer requests, drop them in the comments below. Unspoken requests are welcome too, because God knows what they are. 🙏 Sabbath Skool Animal Trivia continues! Each Sabbath, I post a question about an animal mentioned in the Bible. I’ll point you in the right direction and you’ll have all day to answer. This Week’s Question: I don’t know what the weather looked like where you are, but we had some wild weather this week, so this Sabbath’s question comes straight from the flood story! What animal is sent out of the ark first? Hint: Start in chapter 6 of Genesis. Fun Extra: After naming the animal, share a fun trivia fact about it! 😊​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I have a small flock with only 5 Isa Browns. Can you show me what sort of environmental enrichment you provide?