Been a week since that first egg...

[ladyj02]

One of my RIR girls (now almost 20 weeks) laid her first egg last week but there has been nothing since! They do free range a couple of times a week for a few hours in the evening but only under supervision and I watch closely because my neighbor has a curious cat. Other than that they are almost always in the run. I just really don't think there's a hidden nest. Plus my husband mowed the other day and didn't find anything out in the yard. What the heck gives?! After the first couple of days I kinda just figured her body was still getting used to things, but a week with nothing? I'm starting to think someone played a mean trick on me and that egg was put there to tease me.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That is a long time between eggs for most hens but not unheard of. That would be a funny trick to play on someone though. That pretty young age for most RIR to start laying. Hopefully the next one comes soon.

 

[Jypzee]

We have a RiR that's about the same age when she first started laying. Got a single small egg, then nothing for about a week, then another single egg. Then found a couple of shell-less eggs. Now have 3 girls that are acting like they're laying....red combs, squatting, egg songs, and frequenting the nest boxes.

 

[ladyj02]

Checked again just now as I left for work pretty early today. Still nothing. Bent down to pick her up to give her a little pep-talk and when I did, she squatted really low and shook her butt. She's never done that before! Hopefully our little chat we had will do the trick. I sweetened her up with a few meal worms too.

 

[Choco Maran]

Squatting is a sure sign she is ready to lay. They don't lay regular for about the first month so give her time. She will start up again here soon.