Chicken bald back

[Alison S]

Two weeks ago I became the proud owner of three chickens who were POL when I bought them. However there are no signs of any eggs - any idea when I can hope to get some. I am hoping I won't have to wait until the Spring. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[woffle]

when we bought some Light Sussex at about 20 weeks one waited all of 4 days before laying, the other took about 6 weeks which just about sums it up really. A bit of a "how long is a bit of string" question unfortunately.

 

There are apparently signs that they're starting to go into lay (crouching / combs getting red / appetite increasing etc) but I can't say I noticed anything different between the two chickens along these lines...

[Topdollar]

woffle is correct in the piece of string as you can see by my signature but I did notice the signs in my ladies.

 

The comb becomes more pronounced and they become very red in the face as all the hormones start rushing around their bodies. The crouching is also a good sign and very funny to boot. I didn't notice an increase in appettite until they where actually laying and then the grub needed repleneshing daily from about once every 4 days.

 

I waited what seemed like an age for my first egg but it just made it even more special when it arrived.

 

Welcome to the forum and have fun with the girls

[cordelia]

any idea of the ages of your chooks??? mine are rhode island reds...21 weeks old and cream leagbar 20weeks...no eggs yet..

 

but ever hopeful

[Alison S]

I think they were 16 weeks old when I bought them - so 18 weeks old now. If yours are 21 weeks and still no eggs I will need to be patient for a bit longer!!!!

[cordelia]

best of luck !!!

 

we've now resigned ourselves to getting eggs next year, so that if we do get one now,...with winter aproaching it will be a great surprise...

 

I had taken to reducing their treats, then decided not to...they can have some corn or tomatoes (which they love) on an afternoon...

 

ours have no wattles to speak of...well they are starting to show now..and only tiny pink combs...

I think they will be red when they start to lay..

 

 

best of luck anyway...

[kez]

My two girls were approx 22 weeks old when we got them and have just started laying (24 weeks).

 

About two days before they laid they did look like they were moulting around the tail area.

 

Good luck, sure you'll get some soon!

[eggypeggy]

Mine are about 21 weeks .. no eggs yet either. I tnink they'll be late to start because of the shorter days. I'm trying to be patient but really looking forward to getting my new eggs.. one of which will be blue hopefully!

[helenmb]

Hi Alison

 

I got 3 new girls about 5 weeks ago now and 2 of the 3 have now started to lay - not every day but we are now getting an egg a day. That means that they were about 20 weeks old. It took them 3.5 weeks for the first girl to lay and they too were POL (I think they were around 15-16 weeks old).

 

You may have a week or two more to wait. As a point, my first girl's comb and wattles were slightly more developed than the 2nd to lay but she doesn't squatt. Where as Petula does and her comb and wattles are less developed and paler. My Silver Sussex I don't expect to lay for a few weeks yet as they are slower developers so I'm told.

 

Hope you get some soon

[eggypeggy]

I went out yesterday afternoon to give eglu a bit of a clean and one of my new hens (Gregory) crouched in front of me... I did let out a little shreek with delight! this is officially the fastest chicken in the world.. or at least in our little world.

 

She is v hard to catch.. so I was really chuffed she crouched.. I took the oportunity to give her a cuddle. Hopefully this means we won't have too long to wait for our blue eggs.

 

No sign of the white one crouching, but the supplier said she would be more likely to lay first, so fingers crossed they're both gearing up for it.

[helenmb]

My white girl doesn't crouch but layed first.

[The Ives Clan]

I think we were lucky. Our Pepper Pot was laying after 8 days and provides us with a lovely egg every day The other three don't seem to have a clue but all are providing us with lots of entertainment following us all round the garden.

[WitchHazel]

any idea of the ages of your chooks??? mine are rhode island reds...21 weeks old and cream leagbar 20weeks...no eggs yet..

 

but ever hopeful

 

This probably won't cheer you up, but my cream Legbar is 27 weeks old today and hasn't laid yet. Neither has my Welsummer (28 weeks old today).

 

My other girls have also decided to take the week off, so I'm down to my last egg. I might have to go and b*y eggs tomorrow