A Late-Winter Visit to the Chicken Coops

March 6, 2021

A Late-Winter Visit to the Chicken Coops

Spring officially begins in just two weeks. The days are already getting warmer and lighter - and my chickens are laying more and more eggs.

I hope you saw my egg photo on my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48. On that day, 43 eggs were laid by my gorgeous, plump hens. In general, chickens lay eggs year-round; however, they do slow down considerably in the winter because of the decreased light. Chickens lay best when exposed to at least 14-hours of natural light a day, and when fed good, nutritious foods including lots of greens. Depending on my busy work schedule, I try to visit all the animals at my Bedford, New York farm every morning. Among my stops is the poultry-yard where all my beautiful chickens, Guinea hens, and geese reside.

Enjoy these photos.

: Look at all the beautiful eggs on my kitchen counter. As the days get lighter, my hens lay more and more eggs. Chickens naturally lay less eggs in winter, but it’s also a good time for them to rest and build up their energy for another busy season of egg laying in the spring and summer. I think it’s important to let the birds be as ‘natural’ as possible.

: I have a large chicken yard next to my vegetable garden. I recently replaced all the fencing surrounding the coops and added more gravel. The area is clean and very safe for my flock.

: I have a total of four chicken coops and some smaller hutches for the geese. The chickens are all put in at night to keep them extra protected from foxes, coyotes, and flying predators. They are all let out again during the day to roam in their enclosure.

: I’ve raised many different chicken breeds and varieties over the years – they are all so beautiful to observe. I am fascinated by their many colors and feather patterns. Here is a group of hens in the coop. When laying, hens appreciate privacy – my coops are open all day, so the hens could go inside to their nesting boxes.

: Chickens love to roost. These chickens are on the bar in front of the nesting boxes. Roosters typically watch over their hens through the day.

: These coops are cleaned thoroughly every week. It’s important that all these birds always have access to clean, dry bedding and good, fresh food. The hanging feeders are filled with special egg laying pellets that provide more energy for the hens.

: Here’s Fernando holding one of the chickens. The Heritage Barred Rock Rock is a beautiful breed of chicken. It is a long-standing favorite in the United States because of its reliable laying capabilities, docile nature, and dual-purpose conformation.

: Here is an Ayam Cemani – an uncommon and relatively modern breed of chicken from Indonesia. This breed has a dominant gene that causes hyperpigmentation, making it entirely black, including feathers, beak, and internal organs. But, hens lay cream colored eggs.

: The strikingly handsome Hamburgs are small and active. They are an old, traditional breed whose origin goes back hundreds of years. In both England and Holland, they were such faithful layers that a common name for them is “the Dutch Everyday Layer.”

: Chickens are not difficult to keep, but it does take time, commitment and a good understanding of animal husbandry to do it well. Before choosing to raise chickens, always check with local planning and zoning authorities to be sure chickens are allowed in your area.

: This is a Serama – Serama is the smallest chicken breed in the world.

: My chickens are very well-fed. They get a good quality pellet mix, and lots of fruits and vegetables from the gardens and scraps from my kitchen. I also grow wheatgrass for them in my greenhouse.

: And twice a day, early morning and late afternoon, the birds are given cracked corn – a treat they love.

: Here are three Guinea fowl. They love to mingle with the chickens and geese – everyone gets along very well. Guinea fowl weigh about four-pounds fully grown. With short, rounded wings and short tails, these birds look oval-shaped. Their beaks are short but curved and very stout.

: This rooster has wonderful markings. Chickens don’t mind the cold weather – they are very hardy birds, but optimal temperatures range between 65-degrees and 75-degrees Fahrenheit.

: I love the colors and markings on this chicken – and with a short, downward tail.

: Chickens are very vocal. They share more than 30-different calls to communicate with each other, and they can recognize up to 100 different human faces.

: This is one of three turkeys. I have two heritage birds and one wild turkey that found its way into the yard some time ago and has loved staying here ever since.

: Here is my pair of Pomeranians – always en guarde! They are very alert and curious creatures.

: Here is one my two Chinese geese. These geese most likely descended from the swan goose in Asia, though over time developed different physical characteristics, such as longer necks and more compact bodies. These geese always appear to walk so gracefully as if on their “toes.”

: And here’s a silly Sebastopol goose wading in the water bowl. The water is pretty cold, but this goose doesn’t seem to mind at all. The Sebastopol goose is also referred to as a Danubian goose. The name ‘Danubian’ was first used for the breed in 1863 Ireland. Sebastopols are considered medium-sized birds. They are also very affectionate and kind-hearted with others in their group, or gaggle.

: On the other side of the yard, one Chinese goose followed by two Sebastopols – these geese always travel together.

: At my farm, I have a mélange of types and breeds that are really interesting to look at and fascinating to study. And I’ve always had enough egg-laying hens to provide me and my family with fresh, nutritious, organic eggs all through the year.

: Visitors love going down to see all the breeds and the different colored eggs they produce. These chickens are so well socialized – they love to watch all the activity from their perches.