cloud Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 How long between a hen showing squatting behaviour and laying her first egg? One of girl, Bettie Blue, has been squatting when we go to stroke her today for the first time. I think I've read someplace that it will be about 10 days from now, is that right? How consistent is this. Should we be making her a cosy nest in expectation? I've been trying to get the others to squat. None of the other are playing that game I'm not surprised Bettie is first as she's has the reddest face bay far. The rest just aren't ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Could be any time now - it might be 10 days, might be less. When I got my first hens, it felt as if I'd waited forever for them to lay - I got anxious texts from friends for the first few days, and then it became a subject of huge amusement - what, still no eggs? I can still remember the thrill of finding that first one, though; and five years on, it is still a thrill. There's nothing like a perfect, smooth, new egg ,and if you find a warm new-laid one, you have to cup it in your hands and hold it against your cheek for a moment. Or maybe that's just me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindafw Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Your Chicken mag says that the spring equinox will affect the egg production of our hens...boosting them into laying big style. Just checked and it is 20th March...so by then I might have a blue egg or maybe two... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud Posted February 25, 2012 Author Share Posted February 25, 2012 I can see my self checking for eggs at every opportunity. She was in the nestbox this evening, but given the amount of poo normally in the nest box in the morning I think they have all been in there at some time over the last few weeks (possibly all at the same time). They use it less now it warming up but they do seem to like it. I'm wondering if I should put some straw in the nestbox. Currently it has few handfuls of Easichick. We're were planning in call in on the Omlet shop tomorrow and I am full prepared to buy what ever's needed to make them comfortable - I just ask that they can lay me an egg from time to time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Olly, it's not just you. I am thrilled every time we get an egg. Sometimes we know who has laid it, but if not we spend ages debating whose it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 There's nothing like a perfect, smooth, new egg ,and if you find a warm new-laid one, you have to cup it in your hands and hold it against your cheek for a moment. Or maybe that's just me! Definitely not just you Olly, I do exactly the same Keep us updated, Cloud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eve Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 me to its so eggciting getting that 1st new egg. still waiting for my hybrid ranger to lay had her 9days. columbine has laid me a lovely 7days out of 9. my marran bantams one old dosent lay but looks like she could and her daughter.she lays 3 eggs then has two days off. just started to let them free range.i let them out about 2pm for a couple of hours. last night they put themselves to bed, which was good as night before was trying to round them up with 4 yr old son!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 About a week to 10 days it took my girls from squatting. I use Easibed in the nestbox and poo pick each morning as they sleep in the cube's nestbox. I agree with others it is still a thrill to find eggs. Mine did not lay over the winter and when they started again it was extra special Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 The first egg and every other one is still for me a thrill .I never cease to be amazed at them .I have one girl that is a bit eratic about laying so when she does lay a "proper egg" and not a softy , and more than one a fortnight ,it is even better. How ever did I ever survive so long with out my girls or their eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud Posted February 26, 2012 Author Share Posted February 26, 2012 Keep us updated, Cloud. No egg today, yet! Will the first egg more likely be in the morning? I hope so as I'll have a chance to be the one to find it. OH gets home first in the evening, so will be the one to find any egg laid after 8am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyCustard Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 We happened to be in the garden with the girls when the first egg arrived, Bertha did her (now usual) announcement standing at the top of the Cube ladder! Took mine about 6 weeks to begin laying, April time! We're waiting to hear.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud Posted February 29, 2012 Author Share Posted February 29, 2012 We have our first egg We think it was Bettie Blue, as she's the only one squatting and OH found it in the side of the nestbox that betty has been favouring. If we are right then that means its been only three days between us first noticing Bettie's squatting behaviour and her giving us our first egg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Well done Bettie Blue First eggs are so special Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Oh, congratulations! I hope you did the egg dance. Now you have to decide how you're going to eat it - or are you going to wait for the second one so you can eat two together? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud Posted February 29, 2012 Author Share Posted February 29, 2012 I did the snoopy dance I'm planning a small egg sandwich for my lunch tomorrow. And hoping someone will ask "what's your sandwich today?" - not that they will, they never do. I we have another tomorrow I think OH must decide, to be fair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
