braden01 Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 We've had ours nearly 3 weeks now and waiting for the first egg is nearly as bad as waiting for our first baby! What should we look out for as hopeful signs (besides an egg of course!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 The most obvious things are that the comb will go very red and that they will start to squat when you go near them to pick them up. when this starts happening expect your egg around 7-10 days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 They also seem to have a personality transplant and become very friendly, following you around more and less nervous. Hope you get one soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonesyboy27 Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 Hi all of the above Lola just got on and laid but this was about 3 months after they arrived.Belinda for 24 hours behaved as if she was going to die,moping off her food squatting looking very down then hey presto out it popped.Both the girls took about 3 months to strat,however they arrived in December. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
braden01 Posted May 14, 2007 Author Share Posted May 14, 2007 ..at least one of my hens has laid and they have both recently started squatting. Two eggs today but not sure who laid what so will have to wait and see...thanks for the insights Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 Congratulations on the eggs..... Hope you did an egg dance :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annepet Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 Hi - congrats on the eggs - we're still waiting... (only had Lola, Kirsty and Martha for not quite a fortnight yet, so we're trying not to get too impatient) Just wanted to ask - did you prepare them in any way? (Rubber egg in the nesting box etc) And at what point should we remove the plant pot that's in the nesting section to stop them roosting there? Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
braden01 Posted May 14, 2007 Author Share Posted May 14, 2007 Hi Anne We didn't do anything special and I didn't even know we were supposed to cover up nesting area! Just found another totally soft shelled egg in the run when we went out (3rd egg in 24 hours) so am about to hunt around to find out what we can do to help with this - no treats I suspect! Watching out for the squatting reflex when you approach seems to be a good indicator that eggs are due in a week or two: both ours started doing this beforehand. Good luck - even useless eggs are exciting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 You don't really need to cover up the nest box. That is only to stop them roosting in it at night if it bothers you (mine all seem to take it in turns ) or to discourage a broody hen. First eggs are often a bit hit and miss - soft shelled, no shelled, funny shapes, double yolks, big gap before next one etc. I'd only worry if it was persistent. And no need for a false egg either - they do seem to get the hang of it with very little interference from us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
