Omlet cube and run

[Kathy C]

We have had Merlot since the beginning of May, she was at point of lay, apparently. However she hasn't laid yet. We have two thoughts about this. Could it be that Bluebelles are slow to start, or could it be that she is so low in the pecking order (4 of 4) that she is slow to develop?

 

Any advice would be gratefully received.

[Saronne]

Do you know exactly how old she was when you got her? Some breeders use the term 'point of lay' rather loosely - e.g. anything from 14 weeks up to 19 or 20 weeks. Could it be she was a very young 'point of lay' and is also slow to develop?

 

Saronne x

[Kathy C]

Thank you for your reply, the supplier was not very specific about how old she was, just saying "point of lay was about 16 weeks".

 

She arrived in May as a very tall girl with pale eyes and only the start of a comb. She is vey shy still. Her eyes are now deep brown but her comb has not developed at all.

 

We keep saying to each other that she must have been alot younger than POL! Poor thing must have been terrified of our older girls joining them so young.

 

We love her and she is very beautiful, although she doesn't think so. Like Moet, who has retired from all things egg, she can have a home here anyway.

[Saronne]

Sounds like she might have been quite young when you got her. Your breeder may have made a genuine mistake calling her POL (especially if she was tall), though some are a little naughty and sell them at POL prices when they're actually still quite young. Give her time. It will be worth the wait.

 

 

Saronne x

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Do you have a photo of her? Is she crouching yet?

[jlo]

Seeing where you are from, I am intrigued as to where you may have got your Bluebelle!

 

We got ours in April from Hook and were told that she was 14 weeks. She didn't start laying until the start of July. She was fairly regular for a month but we have had nothing since the start of August and she has also stopped crouching. She has just started to moult so I am not sure whether that has anything to do with it. Her comb is distinctly sad!

 

Like you, we will keep her even if she is prematurely menopausal but it is a tad irritating.

[Sammy]

Hi Kathy

 

I have the same problem you are experiencing. I got 7 girls at the end of June and advised they were 18.5 wks old - breeder was very specific. All but 1 is laying and they all started early to mid July but my White Leghorn X RIR is still not laying.

 

I'm not concerned though, as her comb is reddening well and she's getting more confident, greeting me at the door and letting me stroke her at last - I always thought Horlicks was younger than the rest as she was smaller. Although no crouching yet I'm hoping the changes I am seeing are a good sign that she won't be much longer.

 

Just have to give it time.

 

Sam

[jlo]

Maybe it is something in the Hampshire air!!

[Kathy C]

Yes we did get her from Hook. I am pleased to hear that something is not wrong with her and that some other Hampshire ladies are taking their time too. My husband says it is better that she was too young rather than too old, which is true.

 

She is getting more friendly but prefers to watch at just beyond arms length. She tends to go like a rag doll when picked up, just giving in to the fussing and doze off, so cute.

[Kathy C]

Just to update you all, Merlot is STILL not laying. Has anyone got any ideas why this could be?

[jlo]

Sorry - I haven't got any ideas and I am stumped about my own Bluebelle. She did start laying again for a couple of weeks. She has now stopped again and isn't crouching. I am seriously wondering if yours and mine are from the same family and just aren't into laying!!