4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[CheekyPekins]

I've got 2 Pekins and a bantam Orpington, all similar ages and all bought at the same time from the same breeder. One of my Pekins, Astrid, started laying in August but stopped laying 2 weeks ago - I thought this was because the nights were starting to draw in. My bantam Orp has laid her first egg today, but I've had nothing from my other Pekin. Does this sound normal?

 

My hens are mostly pets, so I'm not sure I'm bothered if Isabella (Pekin) never lays me an egg - but it struck me as a bit strange, particularly as Astrid was laying for a while and now my Orp, Moneypenny, has started.

[chuckmum6]

Sadly yes, Pekins are a law unto themselves when it comes to laying, my lot spend most of their time being broody. I currently have one now who had laid a secret stash in a large flower pot, she had 13 eggs in there, she currently sounds like a demented Geiger counter! My cuckoo Pekin, came into lay in may, went broody within less than two weeks, so after only 4 or 5 tiny eggs, she was allowed to hatch a brood, when the chicks were 8 wks, she laid another 4 eggs, went broody and then stopped for winter! They are funny little birds, I have more than I ever intended, and are just for decoration really, the egg supply is delivered by the Sussex hens supported by the Wyandottes. Good luck and make sure you have some where to put your Pekin when she goes broody (and she will) if you don't want to hatch!

[Chook n Boo Mum]

.oh so true....the eggs are very precious and tasty when they do arrive though

[CheekyPekins]

Lol - as long as I don't need to worry about her, that's fine! We didn't really get the girls for eggs - well, the original plan was chickens for eggs, but then we decided on bantams, as I have 2 young boys and smaller hens made more sense, then we fell in love with 2 Pekins and decided that maybe eggs weren't all that after all... I'm sure my Orp will do her bit, now she's started At some point, when I have a WIR and space for a couple more girls, I'll get a couple of bantams which are better layers - but I'm happy with my mad lawn ornaments for now I'm pretty sure she's not broody, so she must just be taking her time

[chestnutmare]

I have a silkie or pekin laying at 20wks. Very surprised to find eggs so soon. Like you though, the eggs are a bonus but you can't help wondering when they'll start laying. My pekins are fiesty girls. Can't wait for them to get broody.

[chuckmum6]

. My pekins are fiesty girls. Can't wait for them to get broody.

I'm sure you won't have to wait too long! Where they lose on eggs they more than make up for in personality - where they are giants! My tiniest Pekin is not to be messed with and has my large Sussex quivering! They are the funniest sight to behold when they are in a hurry too

[mimi5]

Chestnutmare,

 

A word of warning be careful what you wish for!!!!! Molly my gold partridge pekin has been determinedly broody 4 times this year!!! That includes me giving in and letting her hatch a cultch!!!!! Yes I have an anti-broody coop and put her in it, but the minute I let her out she heads straight up and in to the nestbox!!

 

I'm also waiting for young pekins to lay. The 3 girls that I hatched I've kept and the oldest is 25 weeks now, her face is the pinkest though not red...but no eggs and the slightly younger 2 are 23 weeks and yes no eggs here either!!! Maybe they'll do what Molly did earlier this year and start late jan??

 

But the eggs are very yummy!!! I had what I think will be my last 2 yesterday (thank you Molly), you can't beat dippy egg!!!

 

Your first egg is always a special moment...I had to text everyone I know!!!!

[savena5630]

I have 5 pekin bantams that were hatched this year, and are about 8 months old now.

 

Still no eggs for me either!

[chestnutmare]

Oh no, I was only joking. I'm not looking forward to my fiesty pekins getting broody. I can imagine what they'd be like trying to shift from their nest!

 

I do find them really entertaining but you have to be prepared for an attack when going to fill up the feeders!