2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[SusieB123]

I just thought I would say hi as I have been reading your forum for a few weeks now and ask a couple of questions. I have two lovely girls both are Light Sussex/Nova Hybrids. I can honestly say I have never worried about anything as much as these pair. They came to live with us on 31st March in their shiny new Eglu Go. They came from a breeder who said they were 16 weeks which will make them 22 weeks tomorrow. Still no eggs. They have small combs but one in particular has very red "buttons" on the side of her face. The breeder told us to feed them a 50/50 layers pellets and corn mix which we did for first few weeks but I became increasingly concerned as they tend to pick the corn out and waste pellets. I am persevering trying to give them layers pellets only but they do not seem to like them and then end up eating everything else whilst free-ranging - any tips? Other concern is they huddle up and sleep in the nest and don't roost on the bars - is this ok? Loads more questions but they are the 2 burning ones!

 

Thanks and look forward to getting to know you all

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum, SusieB .

 

There's no way of knowing what age they'll be when they start to lay - look out for combs and wattles getting bigger and they may squat when you approach or put your hand over their backs.

 

Layers pellets contain all the nutrients they need. Corn is usually fed as a treat which they will eat in preference (think chocolate for us ) so I'd withdraw the corn for a while. They'll complain by ignoring the pellets but they won't go hungry so will eat it eventually! They don't eat a huge amount till they start laying so don't worry too much about the amount they're eating. You could limit freeranging till they get the hang of the pellets if you like.

 

Sleeping in the nestbox is absolutely fine - they all have different ideas about where they want to sleep .

[darthwenger]

Welcome. Cannot say I'm much of an expert myself - had my 2 chooks for just under 2 years.

 

I'd stick to the Layers Pellets personally and give them corn as a treat as like you mentioned, they peck everything out of the feeders to get to the corn. I give mine the corn mixed with grit/oyster shells and sometimes a few meal worms and they love it. The pellets should have everything they really need to be honest. They really need to eating the pellets so withdraw the corn for a while.

 

Doesn't matter were they sleep as long as they are happy. Mine used to both try to squeeze into the next to sleep but that was only for the first few months and now they both sleep on the bars, each has their own spot.

[Plum]

Hello welcome, I echo what the others have said. My hybrids took about 4 weeks to lay

[SusieB123]

Thanks for those replies which are reassuring. They have me exactly where they want me when it comes to feeding and I really have to try so hard not to cave in to giving them treats. I will stick purely to the pellets for time being and slowly re-introduce corn and treats when I feel confident they are at least happy to fill up on pellets in the morning.

 

Thanks again

[staceychristie]

Nest box is fine for now, but personally when they do start to lay, you may have to clean their night time pops off you lovely fresh eggs (Yewww).

Even now I'll go out (YES it is nearly midnight) and aide their transit to the roosting bars

 

Hus Stacey

[Gelbel]

One of my girls was a bit more than 9 months old before she laid. Her comb was tiny for just a few weeks beforehand then eveythign 'happened' at once and very quickly. So don't worry - but I would only give corn and extras as treats. Don't give in to them - as I say to mine, "You are not being starved, you are not being murdered, so stop that silly noise now." Well makes me feel better.

 

My last lot kipped in the nest box and I rarely had poo on the eggs - so it does really depend on whether your eggs will be clean or not as to whether you do try to shift them. Eggs do have a protective covering so won't be contaminated from the odd bit of mess.

[scarlettohara]

I feel your pain about worrying I have 2 horses, 2 dogs and 2 cats but worry about my chooks much more ! My mum told me that in the war my Nanny just threw the chickens whatever was left over or she could get and they were fine My first chook from Omlet didn't lay for 4 weeks, I then got 2 from GVP and they laid straight away for a few days and then stopped for 2 weeks. I then got 3 more from GVP - the Bluebelles lay everday and the amberlink did but has now stopped (probably due to being bottom of the pecking order, so I now put her in a different run with one other in the mornings).

 

I thought chooks would be hardy but actually they seem quite delicate little things but you will soon work them out

[SusieB123]

Thanks everyone - you have made me feel a whole lot better. I have been good today and with the exception of one grape they have only had layers pellets availble (doesn't look like they have eaten any mind you). Am also not worrying about them sleeping in the nest now. Right better go and check the colour of their poo¬

[Torrin]

Hi SusieB!

 

Well done for ignoring those accusing eyes - stick with the layers pellets! Don't worry that it doesn't look like they touched the pellets - as other has said they won't go hungry and I remember being worried in the same way about mine not eating at first. Watch out though - when they start laying you won't believe how much faster the food goes down!

 

Enjoy your girls

[chickyhazel]

Personally we hate the chickens sleeping in the nesbox as it means changing nesting paper more often, pooey eggs and pooey bottoms to wash! But if you are happy to have them sleep in the nesbox that's fine. When we got our 1st 3, Ranger laid within 2 days, Chestnut (RIP) within a couple of weeks, and Hazel took a few months.

[Daffodill]

Hi

Your story sound just like mine I have 2 nova sussex and the same age -they were supposed to be point of lay but obviously were not and I can see thatnow having learn't a few things from the forum since having them. Mine also have tiny combs and like to go in the nest box when its cold. They even used to try and get under my little Black shetland who was half their size. Even though my initial thoughts were to get eggs asap now I would always choose younger birds because these 2 have obviously bonded with me as their chicken mummy and come and sit on my lap or shoulder every night for a cuddle and I have loved watching them mature even though there is no sign of eggs. I wonder if they were from the same breeder? they sound so similar to yours.

[SusieB123]

Thanks again everyone - I really do value your replies.

 

Daffodil - now I am intrigued as I am also in York so I suppose there is quite a strong possibility that it is the same guy. I got mine near Howden - what about you? I am absolutely convinced they weren't 16 weeks when I got them but exactly like you say, I wouldn't change them. We have definitely bonded, visitors really laugh as they are convinced they think they are puppies the way they follow me everywhere and sit on my lap

[chicken bark]

I also live in the York area but didn't get my hens from Howden. I have got 3 hybrids - and I can say I haven't got a clue how old they are - I didn't think to ask Two are laying and the biggest one has yet to lay and I must have had them a couple of months now.

I'm not worried I think they all take different times to start laying and I just have a late starter. She eats less than the others too but I think, from what I have read on this forum, that she will start eating for England when she does start laying.

 

[SusieB123]

Daffodill and I have established through DM that we did indeed get our girls from the same dealer and flock only 4 days apart - they must be sisters. Race is on for eggs

[scarlettohara]

I think some of mine have been a bit younger than told and I found that they preferred chick crumbs at first - you could just buy a small bag and mix in with the pellets until they start laying