Emily and Nick Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 I have 3 hybrids - one Warren, one Black Rock and one Speckledy. Rough calculations make them coming up to 27 weeks. They live in an eglu and are kept in an eglu run during the week and are let out to free-range at the weekends and occasionally during the week. I feed them pellets and they have corn for a treat. They sometimes get little extras like greens from the kitchen if there are any. Does anyone know when they might start to lay?. I was told around 24 weeks but since then I've been checking every day in anticipation but there is never anything there. Is there anything I can do to encourage laying? I have been looking out for 'crouching' but can't say I have seen them do this, although I know not all hens 'crouch'. I realise its winter, cold, dark etc, but I'd really like to see some eggs soon! Thanks Emily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 I've got 3 pures that are about 30 weeks 2 off which saterted toncrouchm over a week ago but I'm still waiting for eggs.which could hapen ant time between now and March so like me your playing the waiting game I'm afraid> I'm hoping once we get past the shortest day December 21st or there about we might get some movement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Might take a little longer at this time of year. The shorter days have an impact on their laying I'm afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 You never know,... it's probably a timing issue If it had been summer/long sunny days you probably would have some laying by now. I think because of the weather, and that it's been particularly dingy and horrible may be putting them off also. I think they may wait until Spring (Feb, March) or if you get a delightful sunny winter day that may just spur them on?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Our chooks arrived 4 weeks ago at 18 weeks. They are now 22 weeks. All of them now have red faces. Blodwyn has a large comb and wattles, Megan's are intermediate in size and Gwennie's are still a bit small. Blodwyn and Megan are both crouching - poor old Blodwyn crouches when she sees me opening the back door! Both Blodwyn and Megan do occasionally go into the Cube during the day but.... ...no eggs yet! However they are only 22 weeks and the weather is dismal. I'm not too hopeful for Gwennie before the new year as she is still such a baby, but the other two - who knows? The money is on Blodwyn, but Megan may yet surprise us. Just hope we get some eggs soon as DH has promised them to everybody! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emily and Nick Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 Thanks everyone. I guess I'll just have to be patient. Like you though, docsquid, I've promised eggs to everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Don't worry - you'll have so many next spring/summer that you will be giving them to everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 I am afraid you may have to wait untill the days get longer and nicer.I have just recieved two new birds. I do not expect any egss from them untill about the middle of Febuary early March. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 I'll run against the tide and say that you should have eggs this side of Christmas. As hybrids, they should have started by now, but as the others have said, the short daylight hours slows things down. I've heard that something as simple as an outside light for an extra hour or two helps but I've never tried it. I hatch at the end of May, beginning of June with the specific aim of winter eggs. Mine are pure breed bantams and chickens and none have let me down yet. I caught one of my Silver Sussex bantam pullets being mounted by the cockerel this afternoon, which means she's close to laying. Both she and her sister have looked ready for a month or so and they were hatched mid-June. Fingers crossed for your's .... and mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 I got very excited this morning as Blodwyn disappeared into the nest box with apparent purpose after breakfast and stayed there a while but...no egg Poor old Blodwyn obviously wants to lay an egg. She runs over to me and crouches at my feet whenever I go out of the back door. I think she'll be happier once it has happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Waiting here too! As my young ones are pure breeds (Orpingtons) I've more or less given up hope of them producing anything before the springtime! Your hybrids shouldn't be so affected by the short days though Emily and Nick. Good luck anyway, and once they get going, you'll have eggs coming out of your ears! Skye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 And I'm sorry to say Skye that I'd put money on your Orps not producing until next year! But then you don't have Orpies for their egg laying abilities. Nor for egg size. Tell me again why you have them? Oh yes, they're great big bundles of feathers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 I had given up hope of my smallest chicken Pipa laying this year when with no warning she started laying two weeks ago and now gives me a tiny white egg every other day. don't give up hope yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 And I'm sorry to say Skye that I'd put money on your Orps not producing until next year! But then you don't have Orpies for their egg laying abilities. Nor for egg size. Tell me again why you have them? Oh yes, they're great big bundles of feathers! Jools! I'm offended! They're not just great big bundles of feathers! ...they're great big bundles of feathers that eat you out of house. and. home. Skye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frogprincess Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Our most developed girl (her comb is red) has spent all morning running into the cube, sitting in the nest box for 10mins, coming out slowly, racing round the run like a loony then leaping back into the cube for another 10mins. She's about 20 weeks but we've only had her 5 days. Has she gone mad or is this an overture to an egg? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 I would say so yes, it sounds like typical coming into lay behaviour to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 My nordic walking class assembled at our house this morning before setting off. They asked if we'd had any eggs yet and I replied "No". I then nipped round to see what was in the nest box and I found........ Blodwyn's first egg! Here she is getting her reward - some grapes from DH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poached Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 well done blodwyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Great news.... did you do the egg dance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Great news.... did you do the egg dance? Oh yes, my nordic walking clients got treated to a very happy egg dance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Awww, well done Blodwyn. Just have to wait a few days and you can share an omlette. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Extra treats for Blodwyn! Now is the hard part - who has it and how will it be cooked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Now is the hard part - who has it and how will it be cooked? We're going to share it - hard boiled, a couple of slices each! I feel so bad because we've been out all day and poor Blodwyn hasn't had the degree of spoiling and fuss she deserves for all her efforts. Tomorrow, spoiling big-time. I have a tub of mealworms ready Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Had another one today, so Blodwyn is really getting the hang of the egg laying thing. She's so proud of herself! The other two are both crouching now, so I'd say we'll be in for eggs from all of them before Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Had another one today, so Blodwyn is really getting the hang of the egg laying thing. She's so proud of herself! The other two are both crouching now, so I'd say we'll be in for eggs from all of them before Christmas. Excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
