Chicken Momma Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 I am a newbie hen-keeper of 3 weeks and have two girls - Margo and Betty - who were given to me by a local farmer so I have no idea of their breed (I'm guessing Heinz varieties ...) or age. I was delighted when Margo - who has a better developed comb and wattle than Betty - laid the first egg on Sunday and another on Monday (haven't been out today as the weather is NASTY! and the girls have been staying firmly in Eglu! (I say 'the' first egg because I have no idea if it is 'her' first egg or not) I did not know what to expect but post this in the hope that it might help other newbies like me. Margo started up a dreadful yelling and squawking and started pacing up and down. Then she started going in and out of the nesting box and kicking up the straw etc. Betty was NOT allowed in by Margo at all until M had laid! Once she had laid (which took about 30 - 40 minutes) Margo changed her tune (literally) to a very loud clucking which seemed to mean "Look what I have done!" There was no 'crouching' behaviour by the way. So delighted with these eggs! Firm unblemished shell and weighing 55g (Sunday) and 57g (Monday). Both were laid at approximately the same time of day - between 1100 and 1200. So here are my questions: 1. In a 'flock' of two, when one hen lays does that spark off the other usually? 2. Does really bad weather and the presence of another chook (Betty is staying put today!) tend to put hens off laying? 3. My Eglu is within a Link-a-bord border which awaits wood chippings. Meanwhile the ground in the run is absolutely sodden and muddy. Will putting down straw as a temporary measure help? Sorry for all the questions but I'd appreciate your expert input!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Momma Posted September 25, 2012 Author Share Posted September 25, 2012 Guys - I have just answered question number 2! Just had a brief break in the weather and found Egg Number Three weighing in at a heft 61gms! Well done Margo! (At least I assume it is she!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 When my girls want to lay, nothing puts them off Some stomp about clucking because they want to go and lay whilst others just go and get on with it Not all of my girls announce that they've laid either...probably only 3 of them do it (thank goodness!) Yes, I'd put straw down for now until you get your wood chips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Momma Posted September 25, 2012 Author Share Posted September 25, 2012 Thanks for the response Cheeky Chooky! Good to know I can come on here and receive great advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 No problem It can be frustrating sometimes to see your post has had lots of views but no response especially if you're new Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Hi there - Yes a bit of straw to give them something drier to stand on would probably cheer them up If they are a gingery brown colour then they are probably modern commercial hybrids who will pretty well lay eggs come what may for the first 18mths of their lives, though poor weather and low light levels put the best of layers off a bit. If they are older traditional breeds or as you say a bit of a mongrel mix, then they may produce less, or even go right off lay during the dark winter days. The crouching behaviour is because they regard something large looming over them as a potential mate, and crouch down accordingly, ready to be "trodden" as the old venacular goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Momma Posted September 30, 2012 Author Share Posted September 30, 2012 Thanks Sue and Cheeky Chooky! Margo has now laid 7 eggs in 8 days while Betty looks on! Having said that, Betty is looking more "grown up" and less bedraggled than a month ago when I got her. Her comb and wattle are still smallish but I fancy that sometimes her face and c&w turn reddish and then go back to pink. Her bottom is also fluffier and she has some nice tail feathers coming through again. Maybe it won't be too long. Either way I am happy to have two such gorgeous girls and an egg a day is a bonus - particularly as they are now ranging from large to extra-large! Thanks for your advice ladies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Awww, that's fab Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
