Busybird Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 We got our two new girlies in on 9th September (9 weeks ago). We were told they were around 16 weeks old so started the integration process immediately. We had a holiday planned for half term so needed them to be living together by then. Introductions were a bit stressful (for us and the new girlies) but, when the holiday came, we felt we could leave them all together in the extended Eglu run for the five days that we were away as they seemed to be getting on generally okay and a friend agreed to check on them each day. Thankfully all seemed fine when we returned. Porsche has only just started crouching this week - Audi is still really flighty. Neither have grown crests. I know that not all chooks will have started laying by 22 weeks but they now seem to be getting on much better as a flock (although Ranger still pecks at Audi in food disputes) and look much more equal in size, apart from the crests. Do you think that they were younger than 16 weeks when we got them? Could introducing them to the big girls too young have delayed their development? Do chooks always grow crests before they start to lay eggs? They are lovely girls and it doesn't bother me that they may have been younger than we were told - except that I may have traumatised them by forcing them to live with my stroppy, big madams too young Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Pure breds lay a bit later but my Gingernuts were about 24 weeks before they laid and they had very little comb. Grackle my Pepperpot had quite a big one so guess it varies with hybrids. Current ones are 22 weeks, lot of comb not laying and 28 weeks not much comb and no wattles and not laying. No help at all am I. Bet Porsche is laying within a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 they could be 25 weeks one of mine was 23 the other 26 weeks before they laid I think the ages that are quoted for hybrids to start to lay are for commerical sheds were they control the lights etc to trick the birds to lay asap after 16 weeks none laying birds cost money me the sinic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Because it is late in the year, and the days are shorter, they will come into lay slightly later than birds hatched earlier in the year. All to do with daylight hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busybird Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 Thanks for the replies - that makes me feel a bit better I'm happy to wait until they are ready to lay - it is very exciting waiting for the first eggs. I was just worried that I had forced the introductions too early and distressed them. I wouldn't want to psycologically damage my girlies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
