charliechick Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 Hi guys Well we've had our 4 girls for 8 weeks now and still no eggs! They must be younger than we first thought. We got them when they were 15 weeks old, so at 22wks they should be showing some signs by now. Our Magpie has wattles but a tiny pink comb, and the others have tiny pink combs. Oh dear the wait goes on and on. Im excited about when it will happen but also loving having the hens anyway. Anyone else had to wait longer than 8 weeks? Im betting on a 12 week wait for us. Charliechick xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 We got our 3 on 5th June. Daphne started laying about a week later, Winnie a couple of weeks after that but we're still waiting for Bunty! So that's about 12 weeks for her! She's got a small comb and wattles (but they are redder than they were) - and her legs are still yellow (if that means anything) - and she goes 'peep' like a chick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 Don't despair.....it will happen eventually. Are they having layers pellets? Too many treats will interfere with their laying, so maybe it would be a good idea to cut back on those. As soon as the hens start crouching, eggs will be imminent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hils78 Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 I've had my chickens since may & not an egg is sight - they're 24 weeks now & the little "Ooops, word censored!"s are still free loading. I can see no signs what so ever of an egg - no crouching etc etc I give up! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliechick Posted August 29, 2008 Author Share Posted August 29, 2008 Hi guys Yeah! more people out there with free loaders. Yep they are on layers pellets and mixed corn for their tea. I try as hard as I can to really cut back on the treats. They only get raisins and sweetcorn now and have for afew weeks as pasta I read was yummy but too stodgy for the crop over time. Don't wanna be trying to dis lodge a solid crop Tikka has just been on antibiotics for an infection. SDhe was sneezing for 3 weeks and I could'nt wait any longer in taking her to the vet as I noticed some bad signs like stuff that looks like spit in the corner of her eye and snot bubbles. Was quite worried as she is bottom of pecking order and abit under weight. Vet had to clear her nose as was full of green gunk Now she is fine and alot more talkative. Talking of yellow legs, Tikka has and looks like she's wearing trendy tights! Ha Does that indicate a really young chook or maybe she is eating more of the mixed corn than the layers? But as they're not laying yet they don't really seem that interested in the layers at all. When I get home from work some have been eaten but no way of telling by which chicken. Still waiting) Charliechick xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 Doesn't yellow legs mean that they are near to laying??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolky Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 How much mixed corn do you give them for their tea? As mixed corn is considered a chicken 'treat' too. Might be worth cutting all treats including the corn out for a bit and see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 We've had our new girls since May and today the exchequer leghorn (Penguin) laid her first egg. Woo hoo! It's small (39g) but white and perfectly formed. She has not been crouching and is really pretty flighty. The two marans chickens were watching her as she went in and out of the cube, so perhaps they'll get the idea too. I was beginning to give up hope as the four younger ones were 26 weeks old on Tuesday. Sheila Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliechick Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 Hello! Told u all two weeks ago that I was waiting for my girls to start laying. Well IM STILL WAITING!!! :l. ol: Its about 11 week wait now. I recon we are going to set a new record for hybrids. Charliechick xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 Fingers crossed for an egg soon. I thought that my lot were slow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Well I've had my girls since 13 May and I'm still waiting for one of mine to lay. I've actually been wondering (fairly seriously) if she is perhaps a funny type of he - if you know what I mean. Ginger has got bigger wattle and comb now and very red so I'm hoping (with fingers, toes and everything else crossed) that she will start to lay soon. I think when I got them they were between 18 and 20 weeks so doesn't that make them 9 months old now - something should be happening now surely? I love her dearly though so if she doesn't lay we'll just carry on as we are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliechick Posted September 17, 2008 Author Share Posted September 17, 2008 Hi Seagazer Yeah I think some chooks really do just lay when they are ready. even if they are over 25 + weeks old it doesn't matter they will when they want to. One of my friends said yesterday ' what if they never lay? ' I said don't be daft thats what chickens do, they lay flippin eggs! But I was thinking, blimey, my lot are 27 weeks old and only two of them are looking ready. Was Ginger POL when u got her? So is she about 30 weeks old now? Aw bless her. Ive got a sussex and another hen that's a suffork called a magpie both hybrids and they have red wattles and bigger combs than the pepperpot and gingernut so they prob be first. They are also the least tame. The other two follow me around the garden Like u say though even if one or two don't lay for alot longer yet, I still love having them anyway. Charliechick xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 Ginger was POL when she came with the others but she did seem less mature than them so I knew she would take a bit longer. She also didn't develop the comb/wattles till much later. Who knows, one of these days I'm sure she will surprise me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 Hello! Told u all two weeks ago that I was waiting for my girls to start laying. Well IM STILL WAITING!!! :l. ol: Its about 11 week wait now. I recon we are going to set a new record for hybrids. Charliechick xx Any day now you will be awash with eggs! Would also advise no treats just layers mash or pellets and limestone flour. Keeping fingers crossed for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roo4006 Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Hi everyone, Well its been very intersting reading your post. I had my 2 chickens delivered at the end of July,I was told Blossom was 16 weeks and Sweetpea was a week younger. Blossom is bigger and her comb is much reder than Sweetpeas. I have waited and waited for eggs and nothing !! They are showing no signs off laying either. One sleeps in the nest box at night..... is this a problem ? As from monday I am going to cut out the treats like you have advisded,and see what happens,they arent going to like it as they love their treats,I hope they will forgive me So fingers crossed for everyone......good luck. Ruth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Hi Roo Do they have developed combs and wattles? or are they crouching at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roo4006 Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Hi Quickcluck, One has bigger comb and wattles than the other but neither are crouching. When the girls came the man from Omlet said 1 was 16 weeks,and the other a week younger,so they are now 23 /24 weeks. Is it a case of just being patient ? Ruth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 I've just counted - its nearly 18 weeks I've been waiting for Ginger to perform Now she really is a freeloader! Still love her though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 I think it is....... however frustrating it is! Fingers crossed you won't have too much longer to go, and watch out for the crouching! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gracefruit Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 You're not alone in the wait. Both of my girls were hatched in early-April and neither seem remotely interested in laying any eggs. They both have bright red combs, wattles and faces, and they eat lots of lovely layers pellets every day. They've been regularly checked for parasites (negative) and wormed twice. They get a small portion of grains (oats with a few bits of corn) at bedtime and I give them fresh greens every day. I thought one was crouching earlier this week, but now I think she might have been lounging. And I'm pretty sure they laugh at me when I'm not looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 I would cut the mixed corn out completely for the time being and just give them the layers pellets and maybe a small treat such as a handful of raisins or mealworms to entice them back into the run at night. That might kick start them. The corn is fattening and will be crowding out the nutritious food. Fat hens tend not to be good layers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 I have to say that my one thats not laying is the most vocal when I go and collect the eggs. She looks at me with her beady eye and does this long screach as if to say "You think I'm going to bother laying an egg just for you to come and pinch it! - No way". We are now exchanging grumpy looks at each other Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new chick Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 You are not alone My girls are 29 & 27 weeks, and still no eggs. Have even wormed, just in case. Keeping treats to min, and eating loads of layers (them not me ) I live in hope Have become obsessed NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliechick Posted September 30, 2008 Author Share Posted September 30, 2008 Hello, thank goodness someone out there with chooks as old as mine!! I know we have to be patient and as we love having them its not a major problem. But I was beginning to think that we were doing something that was making them unhappy. however we are not as on some good advice i was told that at this time of year they are slower to mature and if they get a moult it might even be next year now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway they are on layers pellets only now with afew raisins about 3 times a week and have been for about two weeks. That should do it. Charliechick.xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 If mine were roughly 20 weeks when I got them they would be 39 weeks old now and the freeloader is still not laying!! She has started crouching though so I live in hope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
