A few newbie questions

[andreanar]

First off, does anyone look close to giving me an egg? They are all 21.5 weeks old.

What kind of comb do these girls have?

None of them "Bok", they make this weird, loud sound like "Bruuuuuup". What is that? When will they Bok?

 

[11mini]

It's called a "Pea Comb"

 

[chicmom]

Eggs should be coming soon.....When you reach out to them, do any of the squat for you yet? That's a good sign.

 

[andreanar]

When I reach for them, they move away usually, haha. The Marans look the most ready, to my inexperienced eye, but they are so skittish.

 

[chicmom]

Well, the funny thing is, when they're real close to laying, they will do this very hard squat. Even if they're not real friendly, they'll do it. And you can touch them easily and even pick them right up. (It's like they're being submissive to the rooster so he can mate.) Some breeds to take longer.....I've had a Golden Buff (production hen) lay as early as 17 weeks, and some of the other, larger sized hens, like a Marans, might not start until 25 weeks. OH THE WAITING! LOL I was never good at waiting, but it'll seem like Christmas once you get those first eggs.

 

[andreanar]

Ugh,I hate waiting! They free range all during the day and I want to keep them in the coop until they are laying in the nest boxes. But I am trying to wait until they are almost ready to lay.