Roselady Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Our lovely little buff pekin (about 22wks) was behaving very strangely this morning before we left for work. She was very puffed up, her tail very high and her bottom seemed enormously fluffy. She was very very quiet and trundled around following me. She is usually very vocal! She was very active yesterday and was digging and eating for Britain. She has been squatting all weekend (very comical as she looks so surprised when she does that ) Her comb and wattles are very red and her comb is just starting to flop over slightly. I really hope she's not poorly. Is this normal behaviour for a first egg? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Yup, you can expect your first egg roughly a week after they start to crouch. Not every hen will crouch though. How many hens do you have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roselady Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 Hi DM We have 4 pekins and 1 araucana hybrid. She is the first one to display any signs, even though Big Bird (hybrid) is a couple of weeks older). I introduced them to layers pellets on Saturday (mixed in with their growers). It has limestone in it but should I get them oystershell too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 You wouldn't need extra limestone if they pellets you have contain this and their egg shells are good quality. Araucanas and their crosses tend to be later coming into lay so don't worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roselady Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 Thanks v much DM don't know what I'd do without this forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dance in the dark Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Yes I had a pure breed (so slightly different) araucana who hit 20 weeks by late August last year. We saw no eggs until April this year. Different cos I am sure the hybrid will have a much longer laying season (araucanas excellent layers but have a much shorter season that most other breeds, normally about March to the end of September so they average out to being and "ok" layer) Sounds to me like your pekin is coming into lay. I have not experienced behaviour like that exactly, but they do go a bit funny when they are coming up to their first egg. As long as she is eating and getting around I wouldn't worry. In My experience most poorly hens go and try and hide somewhere out of the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roselady Posted September 11, 2012 Author Share Posted September 11, 2012 yeyyy! Ridiculously excited as checked the eglu when got in from work and there was the tiniest little perfect egg (24g) It's sitting in splendour in a shot glass on the kitchen window sill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 excellent! Don't leave it in the sun though or it'll addle and explode Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roselady Posted September 12, 2012 Author Share Posted September 12, 2012 haha thanks DM Yes I thought of that this morning before leaving for work so its in an egg box now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 You now have the questions of how to cook it and who will eat it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannabe smallholder Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Congrats Roselady! Our first girl (a hybrid) came into lay last week and this week another of our girls (also a hybrid) has begun to squat and become a lot friendlier, so fingers crossed for two eggs in the nest box very soon! Xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roselady Posted September 12, 2012 Author Share Posted September 12, 2012 Well DM we just fried it in great ceremony and hubby ate it. I had a taste too, was delicious and the yolk really deep golden colour Hi Wannabe oh congrats to you too! So exciting isn't it. Aren't they comical when they squat, our little Bren looks surprised everytime she does it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...