Any one want to join me in waiting for eggs, posting and comparing notes?

[Redangler]

I tried a different technique last night to get them laying. After picking my kids up from school we stopped at the grocery store and picked up some items for dinner. One of the items was a rotisserie chicken. When we got home I called all the girls over to view their distant relative. I kindly, but firmly, explained to them that I have no problem turning them into dinner if they do not start earning their keep. The talk was going real well at first, until they realized that I was not there to give them a treat and they all slowly went on their merry way in the middle of my speech. I had one holdout who listened to me give the speech but he(Pepper) doesn't have a dog in this fight. So I don't know yet how they received the speech but today should be a good indication. Having said all this I am fairly sure my neighbors think I am nuts and my kids already know I am and I quote a phrase heard last evening from my oldest daughter "Who seriously talks to their chickens, only you dad"!

 

[BroosterSpringsteen]

I tried a different technique last night to get them laying. After picking my kids up from school we stopped at the grocery store and picked up some items for dinner. One of the items was a rotisserie chicken. When we got home I called all the girls over to view their distant relative. I kindly, but firmly, explained to them that I have no problem turning them into dinner if they do not start earning their keep. The talk was going real well at first, until they realized that I was not there to give them a treat and they all slowly went on their merry way in the middle of my speech. I had one holdout who listened to me give the speech but he(Pepper) doesn't have a dog in this fight. So I don't know yet how they received the speech but today should be a good indication. Having said all this I am fairly sure my neighbors think I am nuts and my kids already know I am and I quote a phrase heard last evening from my oldest daughter "Who seriously talks to their chickens, only you dad"!

First off, you are definitely NOT the only one who talks to their chickens. I talk to mine all the time. I also sing to them, and sometimes play music, but only when no one else is around. Last year I used a little Pavlovian conditioning to teach my Buckeyes that at the sound of a ukulele playing, they would earn a treat. So then every time I went outside and strummed the ukulele, they would come running. They would otherwise ignore me. It was a great trick for impressing the neighborhood children. Unfortunately, I lost those particular chickens to a bobcat. But I'm getting off track here.

Red, I think your chickens probably sense your empty threats. I would also note that my chickens go completely nuts over rotisserie chicken. I don't give it to them as a treat, but they found a carcass in the trash one time and picked it clean. Kind of creepy, but then again, chickens are scavengers by nature.

 

[roseschickies]

Well after finding out I have 5 Rooster and only 4 hens ( 3 of which should be laying) I come home and check on my 3 girls and I HAVE AN EGG!!!!

Its a little egg so I think it was my girl Tully that is laying, she is an OEG

Also if anyone is interested I have 5 Roosters that need a home, 1 is about 6months, the other hatched @ Oct 26th

Here is in the nesting box!

Size compared to a Large egg I took out of the fridge

 

[BroosterSpringsteen]

What a cute little egg!

 

[Redangler]

Congrats on the egg Roses! So far just one egg again, however I did see one of my americanas in the nest box with my ISA Brown that is laying so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[roseschickies]

Congrats on the egg Roses! So far just one egg again, however I did see one of my americanas in the nest box with my ISA Brown that is laying so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[chickenn@@b]

Sigh, I'll join in here. I have 4 pullets that hatched July 18 and only 2 of them are laying so far, both EEs and laying medium sized blue eggs. The other EE and the Marans are not laying yet. I'm really waiting for a pretty dark brown egg! She looks so ready, red face, large wattles and comb, all bright red and she's squatting, but nothing!

 

[backyardcelia]

i think our mika might have laid her first egg.... it is much bigger than the past 11 (like the very first one found) and there seemed to be a slight stain.... but most of all, this was the first day she really 'dropped and squatted' on her own (usually it takes a little encouragement, and she's done with me pretty quickly.... unlike or other lady who likes multiple deep massages several times a day! ....never in my life did i dream of becoming a chicken masseuse!!!)

i am waiting for my hair to dry before i go out and check for an egg... that will give me a better clue, as to are there two at work! and those barred hens, are starting to get red in the face too i am going to be a baking fool!!!!

 

[Melabella]

Sigh, I'll join in here. I have 4 pullets that hatched July 18 and only 2 of them are laying so far, both EEs and laying medium sized blue eggs. The other EE and the Marans are not laying yet. I'm really waiting for a pretty dark brown egg! She looks so ready, red face, large wattles and comb, all bright red and she's squatting, but nothing!

Hi chickenn@@b!


to the egg waiting and observing thread! Your pullets are 10 days older than my small flock. I have 9 girls, and 4 are laying so far. So neat you have EE's,, I want blue eggs very much! My four layers have given me all different shades of brown. The darkest is pretty dark, no maren dark, but dark! Not to be nosy, but what area of the country or world are you in. I have noticed a direct link to the amount of sunlight we all have and pullet maturity. Allthough even within my 4 breeds where I have 2 of each, one of the pullets is developed and laying, and the other is quite a bit behind in comb/waddle size and redness. I notice that the girls who are behind have started observing the layers more and more. Today was the first day I truly got to observe some laying, and now know who are laying at least 2 eggs. My barred rock did the first true egg song, baac, baac, baac, baaawwkkkaaaa. She did the egg song on and off for at least 2 different sessions of 20 min each. Then she finally went it, and laid a nice very light brown egg. It is only her second egg. It was larger than her egg yesterday. So NEAT. One of my RIR is laying, and a production red too. Maybe a BA, but not sure.

So again, welcome and can you please send us some pictures of those nice blue eggs? Have no worry too, those other two will be laying before you know it.

Good Luck!

MB

 

[Melabella]

i think our mika might have laid her first egg.... it is much bigger than the past 11 (like the very first one found) and there seemed to be a slight stain.... but most of all, this was the first day she really 'dropped and squatted' on her own (usually it takes a little encouragement, and she's done with me pretty quickly.... unlike or other lady who likes multiple deep massages several times a day! ....never in my life did i dream of becoming a chicken masseuse!!!)

i am waiting for my hair to dry before i go out and check for an egg... that will give me a better clue, as to are there two at work! and those barred hens, are starting to get red in the face too i am going to be a baking fool!!!!

Congratulations celia! That would be awesome! My BR laid her second egg today, complete with a lovely 40 minute pre egg song announcement! It was a very light brown, good size for a second egg. My other BR is behind her though,, still small comb.
DH and I had a 3 egg scramble each today!
it was deicious!

MB