I’ve also found that providing dust baths helps keep them healthy and free from parasites. My Brahmas love them and it’s a fun activity to watch!
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I never thought about dust baths before! Thanks for the tip! Do you have a specific mix for the dust? I would love any recommendations.
I recommend a mix of sand, ash, and diatomaceous earth. It’s worked well for me and keeps my birds happy and healthy!
Thanks for sharing! I’ve used a simple sand mixture before, but I may try adding ash for extra benefits. Do you notice a difference in their health?
Definitely! The dust controls pests better and keeps their feathers in prime condition. It’s made a noticeable difference in my flock!
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I’ve actually raised black and gold chickens for years and never considered the dust baths’ impact. Makes you think, right? I’ll add it to my practices!
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It’s funny how small changes can make a big difference in raising chickens. What are some other best practices you’ve found over the years?
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Humorously, I’ve learned that chickens can be quite picky! I always keep a few pieces of leftover fruits in hand to bribe them for better behavior! Who knew bribery worked with chickens?
I’ve raised a few black and gold breeds, and I’ve found the Black Copper Marans are excellent layers! They typically lay medium to large eggs with a beautiful dark brown color.
That’s awesome to hear! I’ve heard similar things about the Black Australorps. How do their egg production compare?
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The Black Australorps are great layers too! They can lay around 250 eggs a year, and their eggs are medium-sized and light brown. Perfect for breakfast!
I agree! I’ve noticed my Australorps are consistently laying eggs, but my Black Sex Link chickens have even outdone them in quantity. Has anyone else experienced that?
Yes! My Black Sex Links are egg-laying machines. I get large brown eggs almost daily from them.
For those interested in the taste of the eggs, I’ve noticed that the eggs from my Marans have a richer flavor compared to others. Anyone else taste-test their eggs?
Totally! I made scrambled eggs with my Marans’ eggs, and they were delicious! We could have an egg tasting party!
What about the egg sizes? I find that my Black Copper Marans lay some surprisingly large eggs. Do other breeds measure up?
I’ve noticed size varies; my Black Australorps tend to lay medium-sized eggs. It’s interesting to see such diversity in one shade of breed!
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So true! It makes me wonder about their genetics; is there a link between egg size and breed characteristics?
The genetics are definitely interesting! Biology plays a big role, but I think a chicken’s diet also affects egg size and quality.
It’s fascinating! I also experienced a drop in egg quantity during the winter with my breeds. Anyone else face this issue?
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