Bay Area BYCers!

[cherylcohen]

My teenagers are just coming around to laying...6 1/2 to 7 months I think is a better time range for expecting eggs. Everyone always says 5-6 months but in my experience no one had started that early. Mark down 7 months on your calendar and then start getting excited!

 

[dixie&trixie]

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Ugh...sigh... that means 2 more months of waiting. No sign of squatting and no red combs or wattles either. I figured, just didnt want to believe it.

 

[jeremy]

It honestly depends on the breed and whether or not their hatchery bred (more for production) or from heritage or breeder lines.

My hatchery Minorca started laying me white eggs at 19 weeks old, that's just a little under 5 months! Her eggs have been small but they're steadily increasing in size. However my Ameraucanas waited until about 23 weeks to lay.

 

[dixie&trixie]

I gave them a good once over last night and Bella (BR) does have the reddest comb and more pronounced wattles but not like some of the BR I've seen pictures of on here. The Leghorn comes in second then the RIR. That first egg is getting bronzed and mounted!

 

[SunnyDawn]

dixie&trixie :

I gave them a good once over last night and Bella (BR) does have the reddest comb and more pronounced wattles but not like some of the BR I've seen pictures of on here. The Leghorn comes in second then the RIR. That first egg is getting bronzed and mounted!

That first egg really is super special! I have some ameraucanas that are 23 weeks with no signs of laying yet. The combs aren't even a little pinker!

My RIRs and Dels laid at around 20-21 weeks though. I have a cockoo marans that is almost 26 weeks and still hasn't laid but the wellies of the same age just started to lay the most beautiful, little, dark golden brown eggs.

I have found, though, that the later they wait to lay the better they seem to handle it. Young layers often give me those weird rubbery eggs or they lay them from the roost and they break when they hit the poop boards. I figure the later they start the better it is for their health and longevity. May be a bunch of bologna but it makes me feel better to think that way.

Sounds like Bella will be laying real soon! Their combs and wattles continue to redden up after they've started to lay too.​

 

[maryinsc]

Hi from Santa Cruz.
I have three chickens--two black sex link (Licorice and Baby) and one rhode island red (Rosie). I let my grand daughters (in Davis) buy, name, and brood them (with help from mom). I was sorry to have missed most of the baby stage but I wanted my grandkids to enjoy it.
All three chickens are very friendly--Rosie is the 'talker'. The girls are 24 months old. I got my first egg in mid-August. As of two weeks ago, they are all laying.
Mary

 

[OrpingtonManor]

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Hi Mary.

Glad you found us!

 

[dixie&trixie]

Quote:

That first egg really is super special! I have some ameraucanas that are 23 weeks with no signs of laying yet. The combs aren't even a little pinker!

My RIRs and Dels laid at around 20-21 weeks though. I have a cockoo marans that is almost 26 weeks and still hasn't laid but the wellies of the same age just started to lay the most beautiful, little, dark golden brown eggs.

I have found, though, that the later they wait to lay the better they seem to handle it. Young layers often give me those weird rubbery eggs or they lay them from the roost and they break when they hit the poop boards. I figure the later they start the better it is for their health and longevity. May be a bunch of bologna but it makes me feel better to think that way.

Sounds like Bella will be laying real soon! Their combs and wattles continue to redden up after they've started to lay too.

Shes the youngest but has the redder combs and wattles. I hope she lays first since shes my favorite. Ive been giving her extra treats and bringing her inside with me while I cook. I'm hoping all the extra spoiling will speed her up. Wishful thinking, I know....

 

[ibpboo]

Hi Mary

I am not too far from you!

 

[jeremy]

Is anybody interested in Blue Orpington cockerels? These are from Joy Adkins English lines (BIG boys

), I'm going to have a few that I'll need to rehome a couple months down the road. By the time they're ready to leave home (or I'm ready to let them go

) they won't need a heat lamp anymore. They'll be fully feathered and will be used to life outdoors. At this point I'm still determining gender but I'm pretty sure I have several blues of varying shades and maybe a black.

Just thought I would put that on the table... mull it over folks!