midori Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 (edited) I am impatient, I know. We got three pullets a month ago and were told they were 13 weeks old, so they are now around 17 weeks. They have started to look a lot more mature lately, especially the 'light sussex' and 'maran' ( we were told they were purebred, but I suspect they are hybrids, it doesn't really matter though, we love them) and I am desperate for them to start laying, not least as although we get two eggs almost every day from our older Buff Sussex, we don't have enough eggs and I am loathe to buy any. They are not crouching, but the Buff Sussex don't crouch either. Any signs I can look for? Do they look like they are mature enough to start laying any time soon/in the next couple of weeks? (sorry, the pics are great, they wouldn't stay still!) Edited June 27, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 Anytime now! They look ready Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midori Posted June 21, 2010 Author Share Posted June 21, 2010 Thankyou so much for answering. I am so excited waiting, the Buff Sussex were already laying when we got them and it was exciting enough getting their first eggs, so this is almost killing me! They don't usually let me pick them up during the day, but I picked them up at roosting tonight and managed to feel their pelvic bones and there is a two fingers width gap in between them, so I'm assuming that's a good sign? I will just have to keep checking the nest boxes every two seconds... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 They do look as though they're getting ready for duty, but 17 weeks is a bit young, even for hybrids (which I think they are). Maybe they're actually a little older? Healthy looking young ladies anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 Lovely girls, should get eggs within next month looking quite mature Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midori Posted June 26, 2010 Author Share Posted June 26, 2010 Thankyou all. Thankyou especially for saying they look healthy, I am a new hen keeper and paranoid about their health. Mable (the light sussex hybrid) actually crouched today when I put my hand on her. That is the first time I have been able to pick her up from the garden, I usually have to do it when they are roosting. I was so pleased I almost danced around the garden! Hopefully that means she'll lay soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joza2210 Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 As everyone has said they look very healthy and look like they are going to lay any time soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midori Posted June 27, 2010 Author Share Posted June 27, 2010 Whoop whoop!!!! Speckled Jim has laid her first egg today! She made a right anouncement about it all! It's 44g, bless her! Here it is and next to the other eggs from our older Buff Sussex: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Congratulations! Well done speckled Jim! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
