PLS Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 Hello all, I'm glad to say that Dotty and Dandelion have both worked out how to avoid the pond now - I talked to a farmer's wife and she said all farm yards have deep troughs and ponds and despite that she had never heard of a drowning chicken, so they should either learn or they were too nutty to be bothered with, which gave me the confidence to let them out again - and they've turned into such fun little chucks!! We have a great time running about the garden with them. Anyway, now I'm wondering when they'll start laying. They arrived on 19th Sept and so should be about 22+ weeks old now. I'm worried they may lay in the bushes and autumn leaves, rather than the nest box, as they prefer to be out and about all day - what do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 Glad you've solved the pond thing. We have a pond which the chooks largely ignore unless they're thirsty, then have fun poking about among the wriggly things at the shallow end. I too used to worry about them laying somewhere out of sight, but since they started, they have always returned to the nesting box, although they free range all day. Have yours started squatting yet when you approach them? That is a sure sign that they're coming into lay. If they don't do that at all, then they're not ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 Are they crouching at all when you go near them? Are their combs red? Mine started crouching about a week before they started laying. Try putting a plastic/rubber egg/ping pong ball in the nest to give them a clue as to where to lay. Hope you get eggs soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLS Posted October 13, 2007 Author Share Posted October 13, 2007 Thanks, they're not crouching yet, so I guess it'll be a little longer. I'll try the pingpong thing too. I keep marvelling at how easy it is to clean out the Eglu - easier than cleaning the cage floor of a parrot we used to have! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 its terrible when you are waiting for them to start to lay - don't worry, they'll get there in their own time! women! You just can't rely on them ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 women! You just can't rely on them ...... Richard im beginning to think you like being ganged up on and shot down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 women! You just can't rely on them ...... Richard im beginning to think you like being ganged up on and shot down! It's a man's place in life - our position in the social order of things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 Can't stay - her indoors wants a cup of tea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgainey Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 My 2 GNR's from Omlet must be very different in age. Cash's comb etc grew and went red after a couple of weeks and started squatting then. She has now laid 4 times in 6 days (nothing yet this morning but I left early!) Tango is a lot pailer and does not squat at all. Just be patient, it's well worth it in the end! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Some birds just lay earlier, much like some humans reaching puberty sooner than others. We're reaching that time of year when, if they haven't started laying by now, they might not lay now until Spring. I bought 3 young pure breeds earlier in the autumn and I doubt that they will lay now before winter starts. On the other hand, if they do start laying this side of winter, then they may just lay (at reduced capacity) through the winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozkate Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Can someone tell me how to recognise this 'Squatting' behaviour and when its likely to happen. My four have been laying down in the garden in various positions (mainly). I just thought they'd eaten enough and like me needed a lie down before the next meal/bed. My life.. Loz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 It's different from lying down Loz, and when you see it, you will know what I mean instantly They stop still (usually causing you to fall over them) and squat down with their wings partially outspread. If you treat their back with your hand like a cockerel might, then they start a sort of lapdancign routine. They usually start doing this about a week before the first egg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I like the idea of the lapdancing chicken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 They do exactly that - they waggle their bottoms at you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgainey Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I didn't know that the winter would stop or slow the chickens developent. I knew egg production may dip. Lets hope Tango gets her thing on while the weather stays bright! Lap dancing chickens, i'm all embarrassed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Depends on what sort of hens you've got Paul. Hybrids (like the omlet hens) are bred to lay consistently throughout the year,and may only stop laying if they are moulting. Pure breeds like I've got will stop laying when they are moulting and in the winter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgainey Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Yeah my 2 GNR's are from Omlet. Cash is Red faced/combed and laying, Tango is still pale faced/combed and does not do "THE SQUAT" It's good to hear that egg production shouldn't decline too much during winter as they are hybrids but will Tango not mature/develop if the winter starts soon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 She'll just mature a bit slower Paul. As a hybrid, I'd expect her to lay this side of the winter. They are probably different ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Its quite an impressive performance. I just have to wave my hand over Georgie - palm down - and she will squat. Its an impressive party piece if children come to visit as you can then easily pick her up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I take it that you don't have that effect on all females Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I take it that you don't have that effect on all females Richard Even if he did he'd only go and say something to spoil it like "women! You just can't rely on them ......"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I take it that you don't have that effect on all females Richard I wish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 : Even if he did he'd only go and say something to spoil it like "women! You just can't rely on them ......"! and that's another thing they do - never forget anything you say, and bring it up again and again and again ... ...and again and again and again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
