dogs and chickens Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Hi There, Can anyone tell me when (I know, I know how long is a piece of string!!!!!) approx I should expect our first eggs? The chickens arrive on Monday, and I don't know if I should still buy eggs this week or not ! What did your chickens do? Many Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 A good rule of thumb is if they're crouching then you'll probably get eggs within the week. If not, better go and buy some. They're worth the wait but I hope it's not too long for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 What age are your chickens? I would keep buying the eggs for the time being anyway. I got my hens in October and some are still not laying. Now, I know that a lot of that is down to the time of year that we got them but there are people on the forum who have had their hens for longer than I have and they haven't laid an egg. Other people collect their hens and get eggs straight away. It is a good time of year to get them but it will still depend on their age and nature. Sorry I can't be more help. I do know what it's like to be impatient for eggs. As I said, our girls arrived in October and we had our first eggs in December. Our local butcher would tease me every time we used to buy eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogs and chickens Posted March 1, 2008 Author Share Posted March 1, 2008 Sorry all forgot to say We are getting our chickens from Omlet, so as far as I know they are at point of lay. Please correct me if I am wrong on that one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 My three girls all came from Omlet but took 4-6 weeks to lay. Other people have had eggs laid the next day. It really is a very long piece of string! But it's well worth the wait, however long it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogs and chickens Posted March 1, 2008 Author Share Posted March 1, 2008 Maybe I will wait until my egg box is empty before buying more then! I don't want to end up buying some and having my own!!!!! With six hens coming do I have a good chance of one/two of them laying soon'ish? It's that string again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Just but them six at a time! You could have eggs tomorrow, it could be another six weeks. When they are ready to start laying their wattles and combs enlarge and redden, and they crouch as you approach for about a week before. When you see these signs, you will know that an egg is imminent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 Afraid it really is 'piece of string' - the 'point of lay' description covers about a six-week age difference, and they don't all start to lay at exactly the same age. I waited what seemed like forever but was actually about four-five weeks for my first egg, but I have read of people who got eggs the day after their Omlet hens arrived. I'd buy some just in case - then if you do get some 'real' eggs, you can compare the two! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrandMrsG Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 It was a month before we got our first egg and apart from the little blip we had after the earthquake (we had a couple of soft shelled eggs) we get 3 eggs a day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanne Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 Get some in and do a bake with the shop ones if you get some from your own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogs and chickens Posted March 2, 2008 Author Share Posted March 2, 2008 That is a very good idea, now why did I not think of that! Well I guess I don't need to think anymore, I can just ask you guys, as you are so helpful! Thank you all for your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...