Jeanne Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Hi all, sorry I have been missing, but I am back with questions. My hens are about 30 weeks old. I wormed them for a week when I got them. I keep them in until the afternoon with just layers pellets to eat and fresh water to drink, and still no flipping eggs I am fed up to sat the least. My daughter put a play plastic egg in the egg port to encourage them, and even that has gone missing To be fair, it is only Clover that looks red enough in the face to start laying, the other 2 are very pale. Please help. I am having to buy eggs, and it is really anoying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 It is the time of year, Jeanne. The lengthening days will make a difference. You'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanne Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 Thanks for your reply Egluntine. I keep reading about everyone elses lovely productive birds, and mine are only making good composting stuff lol. I have some stuff here called potent brew. Does anyone use that on their chucks? I give it to my parrotlets to encourage them to breed. They don`t do their job either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickweed Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 One of my chickens didn't lay until she was 48 weeks old, so there's plenty of time yet for yours to get started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 We also have a chicken nearly a year old who we haven't had an egg off yet Until this week we had 7 hens and only 1 egg a day if we were lucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Not sure about the Potent Brew.Not much info on it on 'tinterwb. Why not contact the manufacturer and ask if it is suitable for chickens? I'm sure they just need a bit more time though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 im same as u and getting grief of hubby as my shopping came with 6 eggs hes just going with the flow of getting teh chucks expecting eggs i think straight away anyhow still none here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I too was getting very hacked off - my girls arrived on 12th November and 3rd December and as you can see from below only started laying recently. I reckon they must now be about 32 ish weeks...it will happen and it sounds like you are doing everything right - it must be the winter days...are they crouching yet? Mine started laying within days of doing it....fingers crossed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanne Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 Thank you everyone for your help, and thanks for all you fellow none laying chicken owners. I feel better knowing I am not alone. I have no idea if my hens are crouching. I covered the run so effectively I can`t see my ladies at all unless I am at the end of it My kids are going to search the garden over the weekend on the off chance they are laying under something. I hope they aren`t. I will have to cry if I have to throw them away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I know just how it feels! Molly and Spice are now 31 and 33 weeks and they're still not laying. Molly has been crouching, but haven't found any eggs from her. I you do find eggs in the garden you can check their freshness by doing the egg test. This is where you put the egg into a jug of water and if it floats it's off and if it sinks it's fresh. If it's halfway it means it's old, but you can still eat it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinkybijou Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Oh, you are not alone! We've had ours for four weeks today and they are still freeloading! Yesterday Dora started doing a weird pacing up and down the run and kept looking into the Eglu (she normally ignores the Eglu totally apart from going in it when it gets dark) so I was very excited and kept checking throughout the day but still no eggs. I have only one supermarket free range egg left in my fridge and I refuse to BUY any more, so they will have to get a move on soon because I have a birthday cake to make soon.... Kris Doris, Welsummer Dora, Wyandotte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 It is frustrating, and you think it is never going to happen. I was getting daily texts from friends asking 'have they laid an egg yet?' and lots of teasing about whether I'd been given cockerels by mistake. Yours are still quite young, and the lengthening of the days makes a big difference. However, I am actually slightly jealous, because I can still remember the amazing, awe-inspiring moment when I opened the eggport and there was an EGG! I still feel a little thrill when I open the eggport, even though two of mine lay daily without a break, but the first egg is a fantastic moment. And it's going to happen to you very soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 I was really fed up for ages. None of mine were laying and even people who came to see my cube and eglu had eggs before me. Then it all clicked into place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicki9 Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Have you tried uncovering part of the run, or using see through plastic? I seem to remember that the light getting into the run and therefore that the chickens receive might effect the length of time before chickens begin laying? I'm sure it won't be too long now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 All I will say is fourteen chickens, four eggs a day. If we're lucky. Roll on summer (whatever that is!) Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 Yesterday Dora started doing a weird pacing up and down the run and kept looking into the Eglu (she normally ignores the Eglu totally apart from going in it when it gets dark) so I was very excited and kept checking throughout the day but still no eggs. The restlessness is usually a sign that they are nearly ready to start laying - it's like their nesting hormones are starting to kick in but they're not quite sure what to do about it! Oh, and if she suddenly starts "bwark-bok-bok-bok"-ing one day for no apparent reason, check the nestbox - that seems to be chicken-speak for "OMG, you'll never believe what just came out of my bum!!!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinkybijou Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 That is hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!! Still LOL 10 minutes after reading that! Kris Doris, Welsummer Dora, Wyandotte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 Yesterday Dora started doing a weird pacing up and down the run and kept looking into the Eglu (she normally ignores the Eglu totally apart from going in it when it gets dark) so I was very excited and kept checking throughout the day but still no eggs. The restlessness is usually a sign that they are nearly ready to start laying - it's like their nesting hormones are starting to kick in but they're not quite sure what to do about it! Oh, and if she suddenly starts "bwark-bok-bok-bok"-ing one day for no apparent reason, check the nestbox - that seems to be chicken-speak for "OMG, you'll never believe what just came out of my bum!!!" very well described ilike that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanne Posted February 23, 2008 Author Share Posted February 23, 2008 Thank you all for putting a smile on my face I will set up a microphone to hear the laying egg noises lol. The run is covered with opaque plastic, and it looks as light in there as outside, plus I let them out every afternoon. Lets face it, they are lazy chucks and they think they are on their holidays! I have the camera ready for the big moment. It sits by the back door. I haven`t taken any pics of my new granddaughter for ages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 Thank you all for putting a smile on my face I will set up a microphone to hear the laying egg noises lol. You won't need one!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 I hope it happens soon for you . The waiting seems interminable - but it's all worth it when you see your first egg . Re the crouching, they won't do it unless you put your hand above their back. If they suddenly squat down, stick their "elbows" out sideways and do a little wiggle (little hussies think you're a cockeral ), you've got a croucher and it won't be long . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 Re the crouching, they won't do it unless you put your hand above their back. If they suddenly squat down, stick their "elbows" out sideways and do a little wiggle (little hussies think you're a cockeral ), you've got a croucher and it won't be long . That's strange Vicky, as my girls crouch as soon as you go near them and you don't have to put your hand above their backs...Maybe I have ultra friendly hens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 You're right, Ubereglu, mine do that too ... now. I suppose I meant when they initially started crouching, they only did it when I put my hand out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
