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

[ShockValue]

Is there any guestimate on how long after egg-songs and squatting start the eggs start showing up?

 

[Citygirl1]

I just heard one of my girls singing the egg song for the first time at 8pm tonight. There has been lots of my rooster hopping on their backs and grabbing them by the back of their necks! They are just about 6 months old now, give or take a few days. Growing very impatient for eggs. How much longer? I'm going crazy!

 

[Liddy]

I too have been waiting but I figured it would be another 2+ weeks for my flock's pullets, which are a little over 14 weeks old now. (I did find the very first egg on Thursday, no clue who left it on the floor of the coop.)

For weeks now, the roos have been annoying the hens by grabbing their napes and tugging them around. It sounds like this is part of the maturation process. I've begun setting up the nesting boxes to see if they are the preferred location for the eggs. Saturday's was deposited on the floor, like the first one.

Here's hoping the ladies get with the program soon.

What is the egg song? I have noticed a wide variety of sounds coming from the coop, pen and yard, from soft chatter to pretty complete crowing, but I have no idea what the egg song might be.

 

[Citygirl1]

The egg song is much louder than their usually chatter. I didn't know what it was either as I am new to this chicken thing. I was told I would know the egg song when I heard it. It was definitely the egg song. You can look it up on youtube. I assumed they would sing this in the morning before they did their laying, but nope, sang it tonight at 8 pm. Maybe I will get an egg in the morning......I can only hope......

 

[Liddy]

I too am a first-time chicken wrangler. Loving the sounds they make!

Thanks so much for that explanation. *hies myself off to youtube*

 

[Melabella]

Is there any guestimate on how long after egg-songs and squatting start the eggs start showing up?

Hi there ShockValue...

Welcome to the thread. I swore I would remember these things.. and 3 years later.. it's all a blur. I can tell you though if squatting and egg practice songs are starting, you are so very close. My girls never really squatted for me because they were doing it for my rooster! But I do remember when I started seeing the mating going on.. the eggs started 2 - 3 weeks later. How old are your birds, and how many do you have? Happy waiting.. and we love first egg photos... and seconds and thirds....

MB

I just heard one of my girls singing the egg song for the first time at 8pm tonight. There has been lots of my rooster hopping on their backs and grabbing them by the back of their necks! They are just about 6 months old now, give or take a few days. Growing very impatient for eggs. How much longer? I'm going crazy!

Don't worry...soon, soon! After the mating.. it isn't too far behind. How many girls do you have? I know that neck grabbing is tough to take.. still drives me nutty. The young roos really do it far worse.. learning their balance and all. My roo is slick now.. on and off with barely having to hold on! lol...

MB

I too have been waiting but I figured it would be another 2+ weeks for my flock's pullets, which are a little over 14 weeks old now. (I did find the very first egg on Thursday, no clue who left it on the floor of the coop.)

For weeks now, the roos have been annoying the hens by grabbing their napes and tugging them around. It sounds like this is part of the maturation process. I've begun setting up the nesting boxes to see if they are the preferred location for the eggs. Saturday's was deposited on the floor, like the first one.

Here's hoping the ladies get with the program soon.

What is the egg song? I have noticed a wide variety of sounds coming from the coop, pen and yard, from soft chatter to pretty complete crowing, but I have no idea what the egg song might be.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10201626480497602

Let me know if that link works... here is a shot of my girls duet of the egg song the other day. Clark my rooster running back and forth between the free ranging girls and his girls in the nest box... He even mimics their individual songs.. which is quite remarkable.

MB

The egg song is much louder than their usually chatter. I didn't know what it was either as I am new to this chicken thing. I was told I would know the egg song when I heard it. It was definitely the egg song. You can look it up on youtube. I assumed they would sing this in the morning before they did their laying, but nope, sang it tonight at 8 pm. Maybe I will get an egg in the morning......I can only hope.....

I too am a first-time chicken wrangler. Loving the sounds they make!

Thanks so much for that explanation. *hies myself off to youtube*

Welcome Liddy, and everyone... keep us posted... and Pictures,pictures pictures!

MB

 

[ShockValue]

I saw my roo try and mount 2 different hens in 3 failed attempts tonight. They both squaked and ran off and kept their distance for a couple of minutes afterwards. The odd thing is that they'll squat for me.... Just not for him.

I guess I'm still suave enough to get a girl. Even if it is a chicken

 

[Melabella]

I saw my roo try and mount 2 different hens in 3 failed attempts tonight. They both squaked and ran off and kept their distance for a couple of minutes afterwards. The odd thing is that they'll squat for me.... Just not for him.

I guess I'm still suave enough to get a girl. Even if it is a chicken

HA HA.. well those young cockrels really do take a while to get it down. Takes a lot of practice. 3 years into observing my flock and their behaviors, I really see how the girls run the show. I am on my second roo, after my first turned terribly human aggressive. He was an awfully aggressive breeder with the girls as well, tore all their feathers out, and their backs were bare. My current roo is a real sweet heart, dotes on his ladies, but they don't seem to respect him as they did that Mean roo. Fickle hens they are.

MB

 

[Liddy]

I now will recognize the Egg Song.

Melabella, sadly enough, that link did not work for me.

Yesterday I played the youtube video for my neighbor, who had never heard of it. We were in the shed by the coop. When the chicken in my phone began the Egg Song, three of my roos sang along! Is that normal? It was both startling and hysterical. I'm going to see if I can get a friend to record it so I can share.

 

[Melabella]

I now will recognize the Egg Song.

Melabella, sadly enough, that link did not work for me.

Yesterday I played the youtube video for my neighbor, who had never heard of it. We were in the shed by the coop. When the chicken in my phone began the Egg Song, three of my roos sang along! Is that normal? It was both startling and hysterical. I'm going to see if I can get a friend to record it so I can share.

Yes.. and wait till you see them run back and forth like an expectant father outside the delivery room. It's hysterical! I will try to upload the video to Youtube and then I will post it because it is worth the laugh.

MB