[pepsi100]

I have 2 cocks among my hens, they are brothers, but to look at them you wouldnt think it, 1 is black/brown, theother grey

They keep haveing a face off, head down, feathers ruffled, they have a bit of a tussle, I know they are both young and sorting out who is 'boss bird'

But the hens are all smaller than them, but that dont stop the hens swhowing them who is really boss

The hens have stopped laying now, I dont know if its because of the breed, the weather or the cocks

I have 3 'frizzles', 2 young cuckcoo marans, and other assorted breeds (I have no idea, they were a 'job lot of eggs' I hatched out

I have 12 birds in all, including the cocks

Do hens go off laying completely in the winter ?
Do the cocks put them off laying ?

I give them hot rice and cut maize for breakfast, then let them eat the layers mash and dry cut maize

Give them warm water

(I have no idea if they like the warm water, but the rice and maize dont last long, they have access to grass and green stuff (when I let em out during the day)

[joyfull]

no having cockerels doesn't put them off laying (although it can help to make them broody). How old are your hens?

[pepsi100]

no having cockerels doesn't put them off laying (although it can help to make them broody). How old are your hens?

Assorted ages, oldest about 2 years, but all hatched from eggs, the youngest are the Marans, just over 16 weeks

I have a frizzle that is in a laying box over night, but not broody

all the others (apart from the Marans) are bantams

[NormandyMary]

This cold snap has cut the egg production in half unfortunately, as I need a good couple of dozen for OH to take to the family when he visits next week!

[pepsi100]

I havent had any eggs for a month now

Have you seen how pale and unhealthy those eggs in Tecos and sainsburys are ?

But if I buy free range eggs or from a farm, I end up putting them in the incubator, thats why I have so many different kinds of hens