beccauk Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Hi I have 3 amberlinks ( havent picked names yet) they were 19 - 20 wks old 2 have small bumps of a comb coming and very pale the others comb is a tad bigger and slightly brighter. I was wondering at what age or stage do you know they are going to start laying eggs. Is there any signs , changes of behaviour to look for? Becca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracyann Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Point of lay is a term used for hens between the ages of 16-24 weeks of age. Hybrids are likely to start laying sooner than pure breed chickens, yours sound like they are hybrid variety. Watch for the combs to grow big and turn bright red and when the hens start squatting (crouching) when you go near them they will come into lay. Don't be surprised if you get a soft egg first time or a smaller egg than usual, they will gradually get bigger as they get on. Big tell tale sign is a big red comb!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beccauk Posted March 10, 2012 Author Share Posted March 10, 2012 Sounds like it might be a good couple weeks yet then, im quiet an inpatient person when it comes to waiting for something, I am trying to get them used to a treat, incase i need to get them to go in for any reason or just to be able to get them used to being handled and checked over, i dont think they have had anything other then mash and pellet mixed, when i got them they are getting changed to pellet only. I have tried sprinkling afew dried mealworms, they seem to peck but not eat them all up , after reading chicken treats on here ( locked thread ) i have opened a tin of sweetcorn sprinkled afew in the run and again eat a couple but not going mad for it. Is it just they need to get used to the taste of other things? should i just keep giving them afew each day. Becca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracyann Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Sounds like it might be a good couple weeks yet then, im quiet an inpatient person when it comes to waiting for something, I am trying to get them used to a treat, incase i need to get them to go in for any reason or just to be able to get them used to being handled and checked over, i dont think they have had anything other then mash and pellet mixed, when i got them they are getting changed to pellet only.I have tried sprinkling afew dried mealworms, they seem to peck but not eat them all up , after reading chicken treats on here ( locked thread ) i have opened a tin of sweetcorn sprinkled afew in the run and again eat a couple but not going mad for it. Is it just they need to get used to the taste of other things? should i just keep giving them afew each day. Becca Don't worry, I was the same, when that first egg comes its such a special moment, have had my chooks a year now and the excitement hasn't worn off. They are always wary of trying new foods, so give them time, just give them a little bit each day. Mine like the odd slice of bread, some say you shouldn't give it to them but they adore it, pasta, especially spaghetti (lady and the tramp moments), mealworms, cabbage, mixed corn, they will soon adore mealworms, it just takes a bit of getting used to, don't overload them with too much at first. Try putting some mixed corn in a container of some sort that you can shake and call them, they will come running for treats then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 We had our hens exactly month now. Two have been laying since the beginning of March and the other two have just started to squat, but no eggs yet. Of the two that are laying, one started to lay within days of squatting. The other still refuses to squat (but she's head hen so probably considers it beneath her). They did take a little time to get used to treats. Now they all go mad for mixed corn and all will eat from our hands, even Siouxsie who was very shy. They all love meal worms , except Coco and she really could not be bothered with them We've tried then on grapes - which Ginger loves, and carrots - which none love, and cabbage leaves - which only Siouxsie seems interested in. So, I'm learning that all hens are different, but then getting to know them is the fun part Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
