Another hot week, another drop in egg production. It’s 104 today. The heat has certainly taken a toll on the hens. You can see them panting, in spite of staying in the shade most of the day…. Things hopefully will cool off later in the week and for long enough to get back to normal.
I’ve realized over the past few years that “getting back to the nature” can involve some unpleasant results, like not enough eggs from time to time. But the other option is the confined, air conditioned environment like the commercial egg farms. And we all know where that leads. So, I’d prefer to put up with a few disappointments. I hope those of you who buy my eggs understand.
In the meantime, there is another new flock in the brooder being started, which won’t help right now, but will in about 4 more months or so… I was hoping to balance out the lower production when the days got shorter in the winter with more hens… guess I should have started them sooner. But, hey, they are all doing well so far… this is the first batch where nary a one has died!! I should say that quietly so I don’t jinx myself…. I’d like to think I’m getting better at this.