txswanie Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 What are the signs that a chicken is coming into lay? I got the 2 gingers a few weeks ago from Omlet. One is laying one is not and I don't know who is who...Ginger Rogers is very friendly and seems to get on with the other chickens, Lucille Ball is very aloof and likes to be by herself. She will go and dig a hole and lie in it or just lie in a sunspot by herself. She never lets me near her (I have never attempted to pick her up, she just runs away as if I had an axe with me!!!!) She is the only one who does not seem keen on the snacks that I put out (although she did have a good time with a bowl of oatmeal yesterday) Does that sound like a hen that is thinking about laying soon? Is there any way I can tell who is laying the eggs, short of painting their bottoms I cannot think of anything... thanks Colette. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 you can paint their bottoms with food colouring. Mostin tried it but forgot which colour she put on which. If you pick up Ginger Rogers and look at her bottom (can't believe I'm saying that ) If she is laying her vent will be wide if not it is rounder. Feel the pelvic bones each side (but back a bit) of the vent and if they are two finger widths apart she is laying or about to. Lucille Ball will be easier to pick up when she starts crouching about a week or two before laying (one of my madams doesn't ). Try picking her up when she is roosting at night, she'll be quieter then and not panic. It's better than chasing them in the garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txswanie Posted May 17, 2010 Author Share Posted May 17, 2010 Thanks, I will have a look at Ginger Rogers bottom this afternoon..I know, sounds ridiculous. She actually escaped today and I cannot figure out how she got out. My neighbours probably think I am a loon. Running about shouting Ginger Rogers, you get back inside that fence. The weird thing is one of the girls is called Brigitte Bardot and the real Bardot's sister lives around the corner. Hope she never finds out I named a chicken after her sister.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 Amazing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txswanie Posted May 20, 2010 Author Share Posted May 20, 2010 Update. 4 eggs today. Turns out it was Lucy who was not laying. She was ages in the nesting box today and then a lovely little dark brown speckled egg. Thank you girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 Wow not many people can say they live near a celeb's sister I found mine starting squatting down when they were nearly in lay. Did have a look at their bottoms and OH said "what are we looking for?" I didnt like to say "I havenet a clue" Now they squat cos i think they think we are cockerels as OH says " they are in for a major disappointment" he's sooo cutting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 Oh by the way I ringed my chucks with different coloured plastic rings so I know whos who. Bathsheba is orange and I remeber that by thinking BO (Bathsheba orange) Dont ask Jez is purple and Del is green. aaah little things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 Well there is no way of finding out, painting there bottoms, or you cna just watch out carefully and see who comes out the box..and who is crouching down when you go near! (sign of POL) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
