How many chickens in Eglu Cube

[robbo100]

Hi there,

 

I have just got my first ever chickens, 4 hybrids (Goldline, Speckledy, Amberline and Columbian Blacktail). The kids have given them silly names, which I shan't share as I will look silly).

 

I know there are probably lots of posts about this subject, but I need to manage my personal expectations as checking 6 times a day for eggs is leading to continual letdown.

 

My 4 chickens were bought as point of lay and I have had them a week. I know that POL doesn't mean they are about to drop that second, and my birds seem to range quite a lot in terms of development.

 

The silverline has quite a lot of red around the face, and a half formed comb, and the Blacktail has a fully formed comb and is gradually getting redder around the face (but not as red as the silverline). The other two seem much younger.

 

I have roughly measured the distance between the pelvic bones and all but the blacktail seem to be only 1 - 2 cm wide (with the silverline being wider than the other two), but the blacktail has a gap of about 4 cm.

 

Am I realistic in thinking that I could be potentially getting some eggs (although small to start) from the blacktail within the next two weeks?

 

Also, with the winter drawing closer, will this slow things down, potentially as late as the spring some forums say???

 

The wife is getting annoyed by the poo and they have to produce eggs soon to offset he dislike for them (although I think she is secretly falling for them)!

 

I know I am just being overkeen, but having a rough estimate will calm me down

 

Thanks

 

Robbo100

[thelurch]

One of our hybrids started laying about 10 days after we got them, the others started a couple of days later.

We have had them about 3 weeks now and just when they all started laying, we have started to find a couple of soft eggs each day,

 

Just try to be patient, their comb colour is a good indication, if it's nice and red then they shouldn't be far, also if you go to pick one up and they squat down very still then that's another sign as they think you are the cockerel.

[robbo100]

Thanks thelurch,

 

This is something I hadn't read before -

if you go to pick one up and they squat down very still then that's another sign as they think you are the cockerel.

and as a complete coincidence it happened with the blacktail yesterday for the first time and I was going to look the behaviour up on the internet (I didn't realise the birds saw me in that way ). None of the others do it yet (but as I say, I think they are a little way behind anyway).

 

OK, so I am not completely bonkers checking for eggs at this stage then - albeit the others may be a few weeks off.

 

Eggcellent! (sorry, I couldn't resist!)

 

Thanks

 

Robbo100

[figarogir1]

Crouching or squatting is a good sign that they are coming into lay it is usually about 10 days after they first crouch I think - be patient it will be worth it in the end!

[robbo100]

Well, Kate (the blacktail) has spent much of the day in and out of the hen house and sitting in one of the nest boxes. I have just been up the park with the kids and when I got back there was a perfectly formed half sized egg (but not in the next box but sitting on the ground in the middle of the run). WAHOOOOOO (not quite sure why I am so excited, but I am all the same). I might have a really tiny omlet tonight

 

No idea which chicken laid it, but, hey, who cares

[Egluntyne]

Hi there,

 

I have just got my first ever chickens, 4 hybrids (Goldline, Speckledy, Amberline and Columbian Blacktail). The kids have given them silly names, which I shan't share as I will look silly).

Oh ... go on. Spill.

 

Congratulations on the egg.

[robbo100]

Kate (after the mother-in-law), Marian (after the mother-in-law's sister), Bacon (named by my 2 year old son) and Sarah (named by my 4 year old son after my sister). Not typical chicken names.

 

Sadly, it is looking likely that Sarah might well have Coccidiosis, and since I am only 9 days into my first chicken owning experiance, I feel slightly out of my depth. See my post here: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=69474