A flock of freeloaders?

[doughouse]

I've got a little flock of five here in Massachusetts that are between 25 and 23 weeks old (barred rock, barnevelder, wyandotte, marans, and olive egger) and while the barred rock has been churning out eggs at a heroic pace for a few weeks now, the other four seem content to let her do all the heavy lifting.

With November upon us and the days growing shorter and colder I'm inclined to throw my hands up and concede my dream of a nice, heavy egg basket this winter. At this point, I'm guessing they'll wait until spring to start laying.

Am I admitting defeat too early?

 

[sourland]

Am I admitting defeat too early?

I hope so. Are their combs and wattles becoming larger and redder ? Wishing eggs for you - patience.

 

[Hei 20]

I've got a little flock of five here in Massachusetts that are between 25 and 23 weeks old (barred rock, barnevelder, wyandotte, marans, and olive egger) and while the barred rock has been churning out eggs at a heroic pace for a few weeks now, the other four seem content to let her do all the heavy lifting.

With November upon us and the days growing shorter and colder I'm inclined to throw my hands up and concede my dream of a nice, heavy egg basket this winter. At this point, I'm guessing they'll wait until spring to start laying.

Am I admitting defeat too early?

Give them a chance, they might be going through something personal.

 

[doughouse]

I hope so. Are their combs and wattles becoming larger and redder? Wishing eggs for you - patience.

For weeks now, yes. Our family had placed bets on when the first egg was going to be laid and who was going to lay it, and we all missed the mark by several weeks. Our olive egger in particular has had a bright red comb and wattle since she was about 18 weeks. She was unanimously favored in the betting.

(For the record, I won the bet, since I had picked the latest date. My prize was an ice cream cake from our local ice cream shop that had "Papa is the smartest and most handsome!" written on it.)

 

[sourland]

For weeks now, yes. Our family had placed bets on when the first egg was going to be laid and who was going to lay it, and we all missed the mark by several weeks. Our olive egger in particular has had a bright red comb and wattle since she was about 18 weeks. She was unanimously favored in the betting.

(For the record, I won the bet, since I had picked the latest date. My prize was an ice cream cake from our local ice cream shop that had "Papa is the smartest and most handsome!" written on it.)

'Papa' is always the most handsome - smartest ?

 

[TheOddOneOut]

I've got a little flock of five here in Massachusetts that are between 25 and 23 weeks old (barred rock, barnevelder, wyandotte, marans, and olive egger) and while the barred rock has been churning out eggs at a heroic pace for a few weeks now, the other four seem content to let her do all the heavy lifting.

With November upon us and the days growing shorter and colder I'm inclined to throw my hands up and concede my dream of a nice, heavy egg basket this winter. At this point, I'm guessing they'll wait until spring to start laying.

Am I admitting defeat too early?

Mine all went at once...minus my poor underdeveloped EE. (She lays glossy sky-blue eggs that are slightly misshapen. I love her.)
I can’t explain what’s happening in your flock.

 

[doughouse]

'Papa' is always the most handsome - smartest ?

To the winner goes the spoils!
In this case "the spoils" was a very complimentary cake.