Lily of the Valley is the traditional flower in France, on 1st May, but I’m posting a photo of our Iris instead. Difficult to believe we’re already four months down into the year now!
Anyway, I thought I’d also catch up and share news on hens.
We currently have the same 3 gals from when I last gave news of hens. Doris, Rita and Agatha are their names . . . they were bought back in Sept 2021, as 20 week olds . . . which means they’re now over 3 years old and most definitely past their prime when it comes to egg laying. In fact, I don’t think we’ve ever had such a lazy bunch of hens as this lot! They all began a massive moult together last autumn and egg laying stopped. No eggs at all over the winter. And currently, we’re lucky if we collect a total of 20 eggs a month.
It’s not as if they don’t have things to do and space to roam, as above photos show. They’ve just all slowed down on the egg laying simulataneously. So . . . I’ve been on the phone with the people we buy our hens from, and will be adding three new gals to the coop later this month. I’ll keep you posted!
Claire93's Blog 
That does seem early to slow the egg production down so much. Perhaps some new gals will give the current ones a boost when they see how it’s done.
I’m actually wondering whether the old gals are too well fed? At any rate, 20 eggs a month isn’t good enough lol.
I too realised this morning thatwe are a third of the way through the year! I wish the weather would realise it is high time it was Spring -we are back to grey damp gloom! I shall look forward to seeing your new hens.
same here. Rain, overcast and muddy walks in the park is what we’re having.
Our older girls are a bit off the lay at present as they’ve been going through a moult one after the other. But when they do lay, the eggs are enormous! The two young girls are laying well, smaller brown eggs with extremely sturdy shells. I think a fresh batch of younger hens is a very good plan.
Your irises are glowing beautiful.
Your hens are pretty. I bet they’re fun to watch even if they’re not productive.
I look forward to seeing your new gals. 🐔🐔🐔
Your chucks are just like the ones we had, good luck with the introductions, I used to hate watching them sort out the pecking order. Love the irises too.