AlisonH Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 My Amber Star and Blue Belle are still not laying and hubbie is threatening the cooking pot!! The Blue Belle has started to squat down when you stroke her and they both have got really big lately although the combs haven't grown yet -they are starting to but not much. Anyone give me an idea of when to expect an egg!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 The blue belle sounds pretty close to maturing but don't be fooled by the crouching, although it only happens in mature girls it doesn't always follow. I have a laying hen that has never crouched (but she does crow and stutt like a cockerel ) How old are they ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlisonH Posted July 31, 2011 Author Share Posted July 31, 2011 About 23 weeks I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 That's still young, you'll just have to wait till they're ready . One of mine was 40 weeks before she laid . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopingforchickens Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 My amber star laid at around 18 weeks, but my copper star and speckledy both started laying yesterday, around 23-24 weeks, the copper star has been squatting for just over a week, hope you don't have to wait too long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlisonH Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 Hurray, Charlie the Blue Belle has finally laid her first egg this morning. She moved out all the shredded paper from the Eglu first then laid it in the nesting area - it had a small crack at one end but it's perfectly shaped and warm. Now to decide how to cook it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Congratulations . You can tell your hubbie to put away the cooking pot now . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunkychicken Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Hi All, I'm very new to all of this only got my girls on Saturday. What is this squatting business you are all talking about? I've no idea when I might get some eggs as my girls are only 15-16 weeks. Thanks xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlisonH Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 When the hens are maturing they start to squat down - it's to do with the anticipation of a male! It's a sign of them coming into lay although as one of the previous posts says, it doesn't always happen. It also makes them lots easier to start picking them up more. Hope you don't have too long to wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlisonH Posted August 6, 2011 Author Share Posted August 6, 2011 Having posted last Sunday that my chickens still weren't laying, the second one also produced an egg this morning! Charlie has now laid 3 days in a row and Lottie laid her first during a huge thunder storm this morning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 great news on the egg front! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
