Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[smhoekzema]

A question for the more experienced than I . I live in Western Sydney. My girls are about 24 weeks now. What I am wondering is if they are likely to start laying in the next few weeks or if the cooler weather is going to put them off. When will your hens stop laying in this area?

 

[CrazyChookLady5]

Lol , get the spare room ready Ben.
Our girl flys in this morning , she text me from Melbourne at 5 am and asked me to bring a crisp apple and some bananas. She must be sick of croissant s.

this is really random, but on your signature thingo, you wrote that you have a water front coop! whats that??

 

[Bens-Hens]

A question for the more experienced than I . I live in Western Sydney. My girls are about 24 weeks now. What I am wondering is if they are likely to start laying in the next few weeks or if the cooler weather is going to put them off. When will your hens stop laying in this area?

The time of lay has many varying factors, some breeds/hybrids should be laying really well by 24 weeks, others are no where near mature.

So first question is what are the breeds, 24 weeks in general is about the time most would be getting ready. However, there are certain things that usually have to take place before they lay. Some early indicators include;

Interest in the nesting box, practice nest making (even though the first egg often misses!)
Some breeds tend to 'widen', although we do have some lighter breeds that didn't do this, but our Australorps, RIR and Sussex certainly did,
Growth of the comb and wattles,
Reddening of the face, comb and wattles,
Raise in vocal singing or practice 'egg songs'
Change in pelvic width, I learned ; 1 finger wide = more than 4 weeks, 1.5-2 fingers width, 2-4 weeks and more than 2 fingers less than 2 weeks to go. To measure this, hold the bird in one arm, and then with the free hand feel either side of the vent for two boney points with the thumb and forefinger. If these are really close together it will be very hard to fit an egg past.
Finally, 'squatting' If you pass near or go to pat the bird and it drops down into a squat position, wings spread and head down that is the mating position, and eggs are usually only a week or two away at that point.

They are certainly not hard and fast rules, but I use them as indicators, we have some 23 week old Barred Rocks that are showing early signs, but I think we still have a while to go with them I think.

 

[smhoekzema]

The time of lay has many varying factors, some breeds/hybrids should be laying really well by 24 weeks, others are no where near mature.

So first question is what are the breeds, 24 weeks in general is about the time most would be getting ready. However, there are certain things that usually have to take place before they lay. Some early indicators include;

Interest in the nesting box, practice nest making (even though the first egg often misses!)
Some breeds tend to 'widen', although we do have some lighter breeds that didn't do this, but our Australorps, RIR and Sussex certainly did,
Growth of the comb and wattles,
Reddening of the face, comb and wattles,
Raise in vocal singing or practice 'egg songs'
Change in pelvic width, I learned ; 1 finger wide = more than 4 weeks, 1.5-2 fingers width, 2-4 weeks and more than 2 fingers less than 2 weeks to go. To measure this, hold the bird in one arm, and then with the free hand feel either side of the vent for two boney points with the thumb and forefinger. If these are really close together it will be very hard to fit an egg past.
Finally, 'squatting' If you pass near or go to pat the bird and it drops down into a squat position, wings spread and head down that is the mating position, and eggs are usually only a week or two away at that point.

They are certainly not hard and fast rules, but I use them as indicators, we have some 23 week old Barred Rocks that are showing early signs, but I think we still have a while to go with them I think.

Thanks! That's very helpful They are two Australorps and a Rhode Island Red but are hatchery stock. One I can see is nowhere near laying but the other two have two finger widths and have done for weeks now. Actually the RIR squatted for the first time just now do fingers crossed. I was just wondering if the cold will put them off

 

[Bens-Hens]

I could be wrong, but I don't think it's the cold so much as more the amount of light in the day. Longer days in the warmer months.

Some places with very short winters days, and some commercial places will add extra light to make the birds have a 14 hour day, not for me personally but it seems proven to increase production.

Personally, they will have a longer laying life span if the process is more natural.

They are great breeds, we have some of both types, lay great big eggs once they get up to speed. Our RIR threw plenty of double yolkers when she was new too.

 

[satay]

Lol , get the spare room ready Ben.
Our girl flys in this morning , she text me from Melbourne at 5 am and asked me to bring a crisp apple and some bananas. She must be sick of croissant s.

No spare room needed ben. I can just sleep out by the chicken pens

 

[Fancychooklady]

I could be wrong, but I don't think it's the cold so much as more the amount of light in the day. Longer days in the warmer months.

Some places with very short winters days, and some commercial places will add extra light to make the birds have a 14 hour day, not for me personally but it seems proven to increase production.

Personally, they will have a longer laying life span if the process is more natural.

They are great breeds, we have some of both types, lay great big eggs once they get up to speed. Our RIR threw plenty of double yolkers when she was new too.

Either way it's the same outcome. If you have a hen around 20 weeks leading into winter chances are she won't lay till spring. Missed oportunity .
It simply means that you should time your hatch. If you set eggs now come late spring they will be pol.

 

[Fancychooklady]

this is really random, but on your signature thingo, you wrote that you have a water front coop! whats that??  

Same as if you read a real estate ad that said ' waterfront property ' . We have an inlet that runs alongside our property. Inlet farm. It's 14 feet deep and tidal.
The chicken coop overlooks the water.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Hello

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[CrazyChookLady5]

Same as if you read a real estate ad that said ' waterfront property ' . We have an inlet that runs alongside our property. Inlet farm. It's 14 feet deep and tidal.
The chicken coop overlooks the water.

oh right, sounds like your chooks have a very nice view!