Ryan...re: 8 eggs question. The answer is, it depends on breed. For bantams, one egg every 2-3 days is a high average. She was VERY GENEROUS, since she laid her very first pullet egg 15 June. She then skipped a week, laying second egg 22 June. She laid 1 every 4 days until 4 July weekend. I'm SURE of this, since she was penned until then. After the 4th, I let them free range. So from 5th to my post, she laid the 9 she ended up with under her, plus the 8 she gave me. :-)
Now, as to my pecan tree question, we determined it is an insect pest munching the pecans. All the shed ones have gnaw marks on the stem end. This is a mature tree, with the lowest branches at 30 feet and crown at 50 feet. After comparing notes with a volunteer at work we knew nature would take it's course. I could see a tent caterpillar nest up top, however, the tree is strong, healthy, not dropping leaves, no droopy branches and good strong color. Since the tree isn't stressed--and I'm trying to maintain property as organic--we decided not to intervene with chemicals or pesticides.
Today, we got another TORRENTIAL rain here. Approximately 4 1/2 inches in 45 minutes. When I stepped out the door to do evening feed, I found THIS!!!