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

[GreenGirl]

I have now had my girls 10 weeks (can’t remember not having them now! ) and Perdita is starting to get wattles at last!

She is now 26 weeks, with the youngest of the bunch being the Hermione and Titania at 22 weeks and Ophelia being the eldest at 28 weeks old. They are still all on growers pellets.

 

There is no sign of crouching, but I was wondering whether her new red face and wattles means there might be something coming soon? I thought it would probably be next year when there is more light, but do they mature physically anyway?

I am not in any hurry for laying, just want to make sure I don’t miss it, at the moment I leave when they are still in bed (they won’t come out when I open their door in the morning, it is too early for them ) and they are in bed by the time I get home so wouldnt see any crouching anyhow.

 

Thanks

[jools+6]

i would have them on layers pellets by now but im not an expert , you need egluntine ! my girls are hybrids and were on layers at sixteen weeks (when we got them) on saying that , i had mine an age before we got an egg ! at this time of year our eggs are a famine or a feast and i think pure breeds stop but i think i would put out an sos for egluntine she knows her stuff good luck !

[Christian]

Mine were 18 weeks old yesterday and went onto layers pellets. Growers pellets have less protein (under 16% roughly) so they should really be on layers now.

 

Glad you can't remember what life was like BC GreenGirl. Feels like you've had them ages now doesn't it?

[Egluntyne]

I agree...they need layers pellets now, especially as at least one of them is beginning to show signs of maturity.

 

My 20 weel girls are on layers pellets now. They didn't notice the change.

[Daphne]

I wouldn't hold your breath re the egg laying tho, our buff orp bant reddened up at about 22 weeks about a month ago. Goody I thought - she even went into the eglu a few times accompanied by another girl in case help was needed. Having spent a whole morning waiting on fresh air, common sense has now prevailed and I prefer to think that in Spring she'll be ready to go! I've just bought a 6 month old splash and her breeder says if I'm lucky I'll get an egg in January (but knowing my luck I won't - our L/F orps don't usually start till March).