cyclonetog

Long story, but I have 1 less than last time I posted in this thread so... 1901 - 1 = 1900

Only have 1 Marans left at the mo, might pick up an Appenzeller to keep her company, she's getting a bit bored!

Unfortunately, she laid her last egg on the 10th Feb. After a couple of days not laying I thought it was fair enough because she'd been busy (5 days in a row). On Friday she'd started to act quite lethargic, so I took her to the breeder on Saturday. She had sour crop and although she seemed to improve slightly yesterday, she died today. She was a very good looking bird, quite a shame.

Cheers for the replies! It's certainly different with pure breeds when you're used to hybrids. Good luck to those still waiting, I'm sure you won't be waiting long now

I had a hen with a big comb and no eggs, turned out to be a cockerel

5000 to break even? Ouch! I think I'm glad I haven't worked it out! I think in my Chicken keeping career I've had around 500 eggs and given half away

Having lost out hybrid layers to the fox in summer, we bought 3 pure breed pullets late in August 2012, hoping they might start last year. Well, they didn't The Orpington squatted for me on Saturday, so I thought the first egg was a week to 10 days away. I was out all day Sunday, so didn't see them until I went out this morning and there in the nest box was the first egg, very small. I suspect it was laid some time yesterday, because we got another this afternoon, slightly larger but still small. I guess this post is just a bit of encouragement for those waiting or wondering when their hens may start laying, I know it can be frustrating if you have your first brood and are not sure what's going to happen.

Sorry can't help but thought the thread deserved a bump.

Our Marans barely makes a sound!

How old is she, and what does the egg weigh? She is very attractive.

We have 3 cats and 3 hens. We used to have 3 Ambers and 3 Pekins and the cats were either scared of them or disinterested in them. Now we have a young Siklie I've seen one of our cats and a neighbours cat stalking her, but as she's grown I've seen the cat go face to face with her and just run away. Cats like to chase prey and chickens are generally inquisitive, it's rarely a problem.

Hi it sounds a bit like one of my Pekins. She went very lethargic and in the end just stopped doing anything. We took her back to the breeder who took her in to try and perk her up. Unfortunately she didn't make the 2nd night with him, though he did get her eating. To encourage her to eat he used a heat lamp and said they'll always eat if you warm them up, he was raising chicks so put her in with them and gave her mixed corn. We still don't really know what happened but his best guess was that she had a stroke.

I found they just sort of get the idea. First one I found was in the middle of the garden, when they first lay I don't think they really know what's going on but when they've laid a few they know what to do about it.

I agree Purple, first thing I thought is do they free range. It's very normal to find a clutch hidden somewhere, they like a private place to lay so can find some very obscure places. When I thought mine hadn't started I found 28 in the hedge one day. 2 years later when they had been laying in the Eglu for ages they all suddenly decided to go behind the compost heap and shed.

I had 3 hybrids and 2 Pekins sharing 1 classic, I think you'll be fine.