Countdown To Eggs! For June hatches 😊

[Iluveggers]

Here’s a few pics!
FBCM & Welsummer

Buff Orp, Faverolles, Sussex, and in the back an Easter Egger and Blue Marans.

I also have an OE, Amaraucana, and Light Brahma. The birds I hatched in June plus the rest of the chick order are all at the family farm, couldn’t take a chance with any roos.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

My last ones started laying around 8 months. Once they start laying, they lay like any other chicken. The problem is, they love to go broody. That’s where they get the low laying rate from.

My silkied Reds are THE WORST for broodying! The three of them just finished a nearly 3-month-long stint broodying without breaks, only to go immediately into molt so they still aren't laying anyway. Good thing I don't keep them for eggs!

My silkied Blues and Blacks don't go broody nearly as rabidly as the Reds, nor nearly as often, but they are still only what I'd consider decent layers, around 4 eggs a week per bird in their first year laying.

 

[WallyG74]

As we speak on it, I’ve just discovered the egg of a new BC layer. Tiny little thing!

 

[Iluveggers]

As we speak on it, I’ve just discovered the egg of a new BC layer. Tiny little thing!View attachment 3241722

 

[MROO]

What breeds are your March & April birds? You couldve joined without June birds, but it wouldn’t be as fun .

I have heard such wonderful things about bantam Cochins! How long does it usually take them to lay?


Last year I got chicks born July 22, and we got our first two eggs Dec 24. Since this year my earliest two were June 3, I am hoping maybe by first week of November, and with it being lighter longer, maybe even a week or two before…but who knows!

I have fake wood eggs all ready to go in the nest boxes when I think they are close!

I have a mostly Nankin bantam flock, but I do have a single cochin bantam hen. I got her at 6 months as a bully-rescue. SHE was the bully, but you'd never know that, these days. She's a real sweetheart. Gem was an early-Spring hatch and started laying at about 7-8 months. She's three years old, now, and laying 5 (sometimes 6) eggs a week! As a bonus, she's one of the best mama-biddies I've ever had. no matter whose eggs she sets! She just hatched out some RC Nankins in early June. I just pulled her tonight. The youngsters aren't too happy, but Mama seems just fine back in the flock ... MUCH more room!

 

[MROO]

As we speak on it, I’ve just discovered the egg of a new BC layer. Tiny little thing!View attachment 3241722

Mini Cochin eggs are SO pretty ... and great eating ... LOTS of yolk for such a little bitty bean!

 

[Iluveggers]

Anyone else?

Maybe I am imagining it, but my EE’s comb looked darker and Welsummer’s comb & wattles looked bigger this morning!

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Not mine, not even the Easter girls.

One of the boys got a sting on his face yesterday and definitely has a tiny bit larger of a comb this morning, though.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

Not what you want to see first thing in the morning. It stuck around for about 10 minutes. Flying from one side of the coop to the other. At one point it was even hopping around on the ground peeking under the tarped area.

I’ve been letting the chicks out daily but now I’m even more predator paranoid.

Plus a pic from yesterday. They’re so happy when they free range. All birds are from June or July ‘22.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

What breeds are your March & April birds? You couldve joined without June birds, but it wouldn’t be as fun .

I have heard such wonderful things about bantam Cochins! How long does it usually take them to lay?


Last year I got chicks born July 22, and we got our first two eggs Dec 24. Since this year my earliest two were June 3, I am hoping maybe by first week of November, and with it being lighter longer, maybe even a week or two before…but who knows!

I have fake wood eggs all ready to go in the nest boxes when I think they are close!

Did you do any artificial lights? I’ve never used any before but I’m thinking I might give it a go. To try getting eggs a bit earlier. My last batch of BCM didn’t start laying before fall/winter. It took a full 8+ months to see eggs. Then they almost immediately went broody.
This time I’m thinking of heading that off with lights thru winter.