BCM's?

[coolcanoechic]

At what age do they usually start laying? Mine are 20 weeks now, but don't seem to be showing any signs. Their waddles and combs are getting red, but they show no interest in the nesting boxes, and trying to get them to squat when petting them is difficult, so I am guessing they are being slow and not ready.

 

[Habibs Hens]

BCM are bred for egg colour rather than laying ability so there not only may be a delay before they start to lay

but you will also find that they dont lay often about 4-5 a week

unless of course you have hatchery BCMs and then they will not be a pure BCM and will lay better

 

[coolcanoechic]

Actually, my expectation was about 3 times a week, so your figures sound great...lol I figured they were more like a "designer hen" so I don't expect a lot from them. They did not come from a hatchery though, but a local breeder. I am in no hurry. They will lay when they are ready. I just had no idea when they would be ready. I was just wondering when to start checking the egg boxes.

 

[Habibs Hens]

IT does depend on the BCM Line as to how many eggs, the purer the breed the more likley to get lesser eggs

i would wait till i hear the egg song

i know in my coop when hens are laying and when a POL is laying her first

the egg song is different for the first and if you have a roo like i do then the roo joins in too for that very first egg

its great listening to the 2 at it

first the hens does pur puk puk puk pukkkak and then the rooo end the song with a long whiny pukkkkkkkkkkak and then its starts again

 

[coolcanoechic]

I don't have a roo, but that sounds pretty cool!

 

[coolcanoechic]

Oh yea, It is the Cottage Hill line.

 

[Habibs Hens]

Oh yea, It is the Cottage Hill line.

im not fermiliar with the USA lines of Chicken so cant say what numbers you will get

yes it is great listening to the chicken at it when they lay

usually the roo stands outside the pophole and does his clucking whne the hen does hers

 

[coolcanoechic]

That is so cute!

 

[GaryDean26]

All of my Cottage Hill Pullets have started to lay between 20-26 weeks. The time of the year seems to make a little difference. I did have two start laying this month. Both at around 22 weeks in the 100 deg+ heat. I expect 5 eggs a week at the peak and then about 4 eggs a week after they have been laying for about 3 months. They lay in cycles though. Everyday one week and only one or two the next week.

Did your start laying yet?

 

[coolcanoechic]

Yes! They are all laying now. The eggs are beautiful and delicious. Your info is very helpful. I had no idea that they layed in cycles. Right now, they all seem to lay in the afternoon at around 2:30. Strange. I thought chickens were supposed to lay in the mornings usually. My Buff Orpington does.