I don't know about your region, but I'm in California and my hens will usually begin to lay in late April-early May and will continue through June. This year they are still laying and that's odd. If they are breeding, then the hen is probably ready to begin laying but I wouldn't pay much attention to it until next spring. Fertility is not great at odd times of the year with turkeys and the second year is always better overall. I would suggest that if she goes broody, you pen them up someplace safe because while they roost in the trees at night, they build nests on the ground and are an easy target when they are holed up on eggs.

Dumor makes an egg laying mixture, get that and you won't have the problem anymore. I had the two elements separated at first, and the tiny little shell fragments by themselves aside from the food is not going to make them want to eat it. My ducks didn't even bother trying to eat the shell pieces. They would eat the food around the shell mix and leave it alone. Dumor takes the shells and turns it into a powder so it blends in with the food and they eat it regardless. And they love it, youll see a big change in their interest to eat. The shells in the food that the specific manufacturer produces were so tough i had to pry them open after the whole egg was cracked all over. The membrane on the inside of the egg had to be torn through it was so well made. Theres not much else to say other than to use that feed. All ducks were laying eggs of that quality. They also need tons of water to produce them but it sounds like you have that covered. The food is formulated specifically for Ducks and Chickens. Other Full flock feeds contain a broad range of grains that Ducks sometimes don't need as its not what they eat naturally, but its food nevertheless and its in front of them so they eat it. Or parts of it. You also have to give them worms every now and then which contain protein. They go absolutely crazy over them. But youll have super healthy Ducks with this feed. Good luck with it/them...

Miss Sherry, Oooops - I didn't see the "rear end" in the photo. Actually that is a deer target for my husband who likes to bow-hunt deer. You are very observant! Elizabeth, NABA magazines are all I was able to find on my search. I was looking for something more main-stream. Not necessarily completely about raising bflys indoors and not totally scientific but maybe a magazine with a combination of butterfly details about different species or attracting butterflies in your garden. It seems to me as if this would be a good business opportunity for someone interested in photography and butterfly knowledge! Actually, as I write this and read your post it sounds like I should probably look further into the NABA publications! :) Butterflymomok, Thanks! I looked for one in my grocery store today but didn't see it. I will look at Wally world also in the next few days. Thanks to all for your help and advice! It is much appreciated. Kelly

We've had a blue jay pair in our rhododendron. I've been watching since it's also about 6 feet from our front door, up against our house. I got mama a birdbath and food, which she never used. So her eggs hatched and I watched daddy feed her, and then her feed her babies. This was so precious. But now they're all gone. Could they be renesting? I've had my field cam on them but it's not revealing if daddy or mommy transported the babies. I havent seen any critters either. I was really hoping I would get to see the babies grow. I feel bad bc I am not sure if her babies made it. 😔