savena5630 Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Hi there, My 3 girls (and one boy!) reached 16 weeks today. I bought them as 1 week and 3 week old chicks, and I'm just wondering, as I've never had chickens before, what I can do to ensure that they start laying soon? They are on a mixture of growers and layers and live in an Eglu go Any ideas? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 as far as I know they'll start when they start, and as long as they're well fed etc, there's not a lot you can do to hasten the process (I think you can delay it, which people do for show hens, but I don't know a lot about that) Age of laying depends on breed. My warrens started at 16/17 weeks; my bluebell about a week later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 I agree, it depends on the individual hen and the usual time is anything from 18-24 weeks. It's frustrating waiting, I know, but I don't think there's anything you can do to speed them up. Oh - one other thing. I'm afraid the boy won't lay any eggs, no matter what you feed him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dance in the dark Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Depends on the breed as well. Are they hybrids? If so, I imagine it'll be within the next month, pure breeds, could well be longer, maybe two months. I wouldn't be too hasty about putting them on layers pellets either, it's good to let them come right up to point of lay before switching. In the couple of weeks before they lay. the hens combs will go much redder and they may start crouching, although since you have a cockerel that is less likely. Mostly, the answer is just wait, they will lay at their own pace, and the day they do I guarantee you will be gleefully shocked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shemybelle Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 What I've learned about chicken-keeping is that it's not an exact science. Nature decides, not us! It's frustrating. My Bluebell is 24 weeks old and has only just started laying. She lays infrequently and most of them are softies. The others (a Rhode Rock and a Snowdrop) have been laying regularly for weeks. Lx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savena5630 Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 They are half silkies, half Rhode island Reds. They still seem very small though, nowhere near full 'chicken size'. Their faces have started to redden though, but their combs still seem pinkish. What do you reccommend as the best bedding for the nest part of the eglu? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dance in the dark Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Well, straw is good, but if you can use chopped hemp (auboise or similar) that generally gets people raving. It means you are less likely to have a hen that kicks all the bedding out of the nest, for no reason. Also, the advantage of auboise is that if your hens poos in the nest, it will normally result in cleaner eggs than if it were straw. I have also heard wonderful things about easy-chick bedding, but have never used it personally. As for the size of your birds, silkies are generally quite a small breed, even in large fowl, so your girl might not get too big. I would recommend you get them back on growers for at least a couple of weeks, there is no benefit in using layers yet, and growers should help them to fill out more quickly. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
