4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Cooks]

Hi, as some of you know we got two 16 week hens on saturday and to be honest their combs were not that red, a light pink would be more the colour, but all the hens were the same.

As the days have gone by the girls combs have got darker and darker so they are now a deep pink I would say. Is this just because they are roughly a week older? Or is this a sign that they are happy

[Egluntyne]

It is a sign that they are maturing and getting ready to lay eggs.

[Cooks]

yes I thought that, but aren't they a little young?? not that I am saying I dont want eggs.. far from it

[Egluntyne]

Not really....they are about at point of lay.

[Cooks]

*running around excited* cool!

[BarbaraJ]

good luck but don't get too eggcited lol maybe they will lay early but i got mine at 17weeks and at 25weeks only 1 is laying so far!

[Cooks]

oh ok, well they will lay when they are ready, I love them no matter when of if they lay. nice to see the combs darkening though

[Egluntyne]

Other signs that they are ready to lay is "crouching" when you approach....and a huge increase in appetite.

 

BTW...point of lay is a term used to describe a stage in the pullets life at which they may start laying....generally between about 18-24 weeks or thereabouts. Not a definite though.

[Cooks]

I dont know about crouching at the moment because it recommends to keep themin the eglu run for 5 days and I have done that so far, we haven't handled them yet, only stroked them. As for appetite they have eaten a lot from day one, so I dont know there

 

I was told by breeder they wouldn't lay for about 4 weeks becuase they were 16 weeks old, so am not expecting an egg right away, they are quite quiet, and only really buk buk when they are enjoying their tea time snack, or when they see you in the morning (sometimes) I guess that will change when they start laying.

[Abbey Road Girl]

Watch out, Lou--they will be having you run out whenever they bok loudly enough to make you think an egg might have been laid!

 

I think they have figured me out. My girls arrived from Omlet on the 17th and I got two eggs on the 28th, probably from two of my four, and one yesterday and today (so far).

 

If I hear them making a fuss, I come out to see what's going on (hoping it's not Mr Fox, hoping it is egg laying), and find them standing around trying to look innocent!

[Cooks]

I dont mind, I love watching and being around them. I will be a loony wreck when the first egg arrives!,

 

It's funny but everyday we give them their tea at about 3.45 ish, as this is a time the kids can give it. The girls know already what's coming and they are getting much much braver and less wary by the day.

 

They are a little unsure when the spaniel puts her nose at the run, but it will serve her right to get a beak in it! she's such a nosey girl, "what are those having in that bowl that I am not having!!!.." If I gave her sweetcorn and broccolli etc etc she wouldn't want it!

 

my kids will be beside themselves when the first egg arrives as well, but have resigned themselves to wait as patience is a virtue

[BarbaraJ]

Its like expecting a babay lol all my interested friends and neighbours were asking 'any eggs yet?'

[Cooks]

it certainly will be very special,

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

It's amazing watching their combs and wattles develop isn't it. They seem to visibly change literally by the day.

[Cooks]

that's exactly right, they have changed loads, the change in colour is very obvious. They are even bigger, I am sure of it, mind you the amount the tuck away it's not surprising!

 

They are beautifull girlies, would love them to be a little more vocal.. but that will come then I'll be saying I wish they would quieten down a little..

[Phosphorus]

They are beautifull girlies, would love them to be a little more vocal.. but that will come then I'll be saying I wish they would quieten down a little..

 

You just wait - my coral (if that is what she is ) has a really quiet cheep - can only really hear her when I am poo picking next to her. The Black Rock grunts and boks etc all over the place, she is the most vocal in the flock (wow can I say flock I suppose I can - I have a flock - that sounds lovely ).

 

Alice the white made me laugh today - I managed to get in a stroke and she twitched off with a very loud BOK. Obviously letting me know this wasn't quite on yet

 

Loving watching my girls' combs grow

[Cooks]

bless her heart