jester Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 (edited) Here are my omlet hens which I've had for 2 weeks (first hens), they have a green eglu. No eggs yet, but Charlie looks a bit more ready. Charlie is the black pepperpot, anyone else thinks she looks ready to make an egg soon?, my gingernut ranger is Kipper who is much less mature. My 3 and 4 year old chose their names inspired by Charlie Cook (Julia Donaldson book) and kipper from the read at home series! Edited October 20, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 oops! looks like the photos are too big and charlies face it cut off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Hi, instructions for how to resize pictures here viewtopic.php?f=45&t=21972 Let me know if you have problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 They both look very nice I'm not too good myself at knowing when they are ready to lay eggs, but I think they crouch when you go to touch them as they approach the right age. I think the cold weather could delay them perhaps as I know mine have all slowed down a lot since the weather has got colder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 I reckon it won't be long. Lovely chooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Charlie has a lovely red face - won't be long I bet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneyolktoanother Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 awww they are lovely, don't think it will be long now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester Posted October 22, 2010 Author Share Posted October 22, 2010 Charlie did some stamping with her feet and then crouched. She did this twice today, so getting real excited for an egg. Has anyone else had their hen stamp their feet before crouching? Thought it was something cockerels did? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 No mine don't. She probably trying to run away but her instincts are making her crouch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 Awww hello Charlie and Kipper, what lovely girls you both are When you say Charlie is stamping, is she not doing that little dance that they do when scratching the ground and making a dust batch? Our Dottie does it and I've noticed Hilda has started doing it too, they're ever so funny when they do their little dance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve the Gas Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 The stooping/crouching is a natural response to the male- ready to mate etc. I sometimes stroke their backs and gently squeeze the parsons nose - this invariably leads to the shaking response. Re-read that doesn't sound at all proper - does it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powerlady Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 The stooping/crouching is a natural response to the male- ready to mate etc.I sometimes stroke their backs and gently squeeze the parsons nose - this invariably leads to the shaking response. Re-read that doesn't sound at all proper - does it? uh uh!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester Posted October 24, 2010 Author Share Posted October 24, 2010 Charlie the pepperpot has crouched for me for the last 3 days including today. Today for the first time she went into the hen house when it was daylight, shes never done that before when ive been watching them anyway and ive been watching them lots. She was in there for about 10 mins, no egg but clearly testing it out. Kipper the gingernut ranger who follows her everywhere had to go in too and sit on the perch whilst waiting for Charlie. Getting really excited for an egg now, I thin k it could be soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 How exciting! She may have a few practice goes before actually laying an egg... but it sounds like it will be very soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester Posted October 29, 2010 Author Share Posted October 29, 2010 no eggs yet. Had Charlie and Kipper for 4 weeks on Tuesday. Charlie's wattle is getting larger all the time, has been crouching for me for just over a week and is definitely making more noise than usual but really excited for an egg. Keep checking a few times a day but nothing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Hopefully you'll get your egg real soon Jester, the noisyness is a good sign so I believe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 Woo hoo we got an egg! Happened sometime between 11am and 2pm when we were out shopping in Chester. Thought id just check the egg port when i let the hens out to free range and there it was, seemed like an absolute miracle and still does!!!!We have put that one safe in one of the small omlet boxes so my little boy in reception can take it into school on Tuesday to show his teacher and class. If we get one tomorrow I'll have a poached egg on toast for breakfast. Egg was Charlies im sure, saw a black feather on it and thats the one whos been crouching for 8 days. Made my day!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodinparts Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Congratulations on your first egg They are such a miracle, aren't they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 Congratulations on your first egg They are such a miracle, aren't they? Yes thanks. So glad not to have to buy them from the shop anymore. Bought a box a few days ago as i decided when i got some eggs i would get into baking cakes. Anyway i made some really tasty fairy cakes with my kids (3 and 4) but how much more special they will be now we will be getting our own precious eggs, really excited the laying has begun. Think kipper our gingernut ranger might be about 2 weeks behind. i read so many threads the other night obsessively finding out how long between crouching starting and egg laying and nearly all said 7-10 days, so i predicted this weekeend for an egg based on that, but unbelievably amazed still to see it. Glad we are home tomorrow now so i can listen out for any egg laying song. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester Posted November 5, 2010 Author Share Posted November 5, 2010 Kipper started crouching yesterday so i reckon she'll be laying in 7-10 days like charlie. Charlie laid a massive egg today of 72g Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted November 5, 2010 Share Posted November 5, 2010 great names - my kids used to love those books when they were little! well done Charlie, and come on Kipper - you can do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
