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

[Yolky]

When they come I heard that it is a good few weeks till they lay. I was wondering if they change at all in this time as they are still growing up so to speak. Do they get fluffier? I have seen some pics of when they first come and some don't look like they have big fluffy knickers like others, is that something that comes just before laying?

[Olly]

when they arrive, they could be ready to lay immediately or you may have to wait a few weeks ... 'point of lay' covers an age range of several weeks.

 

Mine certainly got much bigger, and their combs grew much larger as well, over the first year. I can't remember if their knickers got fluffier or not, but I guess that as they were growing, they probably got a few more feathers on them. They will definitely still be growing - when I look back at pictures of mine, they look quite different.

[Stevie]

When they lay will depend on how old they are-22 weeks is the average age for laying.My Pepperpot was around 20 weeks old while the Gingernut was about 17 weeks on delivery and were suprisingly small.They very soon fatten up though!

[Egluntyne]

My latest three were sold as POL but are only about 16-17 weeks old.

 

They are tiny....no bigger than pigeons, and have no combs to speak of, just a tiny pink serrated line.

 

They also make odd little noises, not quite cheeping, but not clucking either.

[Gallina]

Although you will think they are gorgeous frm the the start, they will get much more beautiful and more interesting in the few weeks they are growing up, and the hens I have obtained when young are much friendlier than the ones I got at point of lay.

[Laura & CTB]

 

They also make odd little noises, not quite cheeping, but not clucking either.

 

That's what my two new ones sound like a the moment - such a cute noise!

 

Cartier still has some really fluffy feathers on her back, she's so soft

[Hen Watch]

When my Omlet girls arrived 1 laid an egg within days and the others took some time to start and yet they were similar ages. The girl who started first was only very slightly larger (and possibly a few weeks older) but other than that they all looked the same.

 

Their combs/wattles do get larger/redder as they grow up. And "cheeping" noise turns into "bok bok". And they may start to crouch down low when you approach and I found this happened with hen numbers 2 and 3 about a week or so before starting to lay.

 

But all said, I'm afraid it's just a waiting game. But whilst you are waiting make sure you don't go overboard on treats as too many treats can mean less eggs.