Comb development to first egg!

[Hellomylittleladies]

@Hellomylittleladies @Draya our Polish hen has laid an egg as well (she’s 26 weeks tomorrow!)

Nice! Cute elongation Did she use the nesting box?
Btw are you finding your laying hens are getting noisier? Mine have been mostly quiet but the laying one makes such a racket nowadays. Not an egg song, just complaining to get my attention.

 

[Sarzetta]

Nice! Cute elongation Did she use the nesting box?
Btw are you finding your laying hens are getting noisier? Mine have been mostly quiet but the laying one makes such a racket nowadays. Not an egg song, just complaining to get my attention.

Yes she did use the nesting box and yes she was singing her egg song

I’ve noticed two other hens going in and out and they are chatty too!

 

[Draya]

My first egg from Sugar, an 18 1/2 week old white leghorn!! Hopefully the others will follow her lead. Laid in a nesting box this afternoon. 35 grams compared to 70+ from the older gals. I’m so pleased you would think I laid it myself.

 

[Sarzetta]

@Draya wow! That’s fantastic.

I wonder how long are the daylight hours where you are at the moment?

 

[Draya]

@Draya wow! That’s fantastic.

I wonder how long are the daylight hours where you are at the moment?

We are full on summer here (northern California/Sacramento valley) 15 hours of sunlight. It’s also super hot 105° or 40°C. We have misters in the coop to help keep the birds cooler.

 

[Sarzetta]

@Draya thanks- I think ours must be slower as it’s still winter, less daylight and cold. Every day our sunlight hours are increasing so hopefully the other hens start to lay soon!

How cold does it get in Sacramento in the winter?

 

[Hellomylittleladies]

@Draya How do you find Leghorns? Are yours free-ranging?
I might want to add some good layers to my flock in the coming summer. I just have so much issues with my farm-raised Barnevelder wanting to escape my suburban garden and I read Leghorns are flighty and love freedom too.

 

[Draya]

@Draya thanks- I think ours must be slower as it’s still winter, less daylight and cold. Every day our sunlight hours are increasing so hopefully the other hens start to lay soon!

How cold does it get in Sacramento in the winter?

We have cold, wet winters, rain but no snow. Typically lows are in the 30s but sometimes it gets into the 20s and our water bowls for the animals will freeze overnight. Highs in the winter average 50s so it’s not too bad. Obviously, temperatures are Fahrenheit.

 

[Draya]

@Draya How do you find Leghorns? Are yours free-ranging?
I might want to add some good layers to my flock in the coming summer. I just have so much issues with my farm-raised Barnevelder wanting to escape my suburban garden and I read Leghorns are flighty and love freedom too.

White leghorns are available at the feed stores here. My experience with them is that they are very productive layers, but are a little flighty. We have property so it’s not an issue for us, but they are lighter in weight and can fly over fences more easily than other birds. Have you tried clipping your birds’ wings?

 

[Sarzetta]

@Draya your weather is very similar to ours! No snow, similar temps.