First Egg Countdown

[RyeRanch]

I have a barred rock who just started laying. Apparently she thinks Easter is awesome as she lays an egg in a deferent place every day. Any ideas how to get a chicken to lay in the same place every day ( preferably in the nest box)

Thanks!

 

[rlhagan56]

Wahoo
, I finally got an egg from my absolutely HUGE barred rock who was born in Feb. I was beginning to think she had a thyroid problem and would never lay. Her sisters ( who are much smaller) have been laying for 4-6 weeks now. I guess she heard us talking about BBQ or arroz con Pollo. Good news - she is a keeper.

LOL,now that's funny! I am also proud to announce that my *baby* Huey (giganticum) barred rock also at 25 weeks FINALLY laid an egg today! We were contemplating the plucking and broasting and she must have heard lol. She also finally forgave me for chasing her to catch her when the spray guy came two months ago. She flew back up on my shoulder, only she weighs a LOT more now. She has also learned where my cherry tomato plants are on the deck! So far the others haven't been smart enough to follow suit. She cracks me up, she knows better, so she talks quietly then hops on the final top step and makes a tomato dash n' run before I can scold her.

IN OTHER CHICKSTER NEWS,my EE was on convalescence again for three days due to limping. I don't know what she does but three days seems to cure it. She got really tame after the first hospital stay. So she has a very good excuse for NOT LAYING yet! She is my buff lace EE and my bantam cochin roosters love. Poor guy, when he hides she goes with him to keep him company.

Nest boxes, I kept mine covered until they were about 20 weeks, then uncovered them and put plastic easter eggs in them. The first egg laid was out in the run (must have been an oops surprise) and after that they all just went to the nest boxes. Two on one nest, two favor another.

 

[Simmonsfunnyfrm]

Well, this is my weekly post to say my girls are 22 weeks old and none of my 23 are laying yet....

 

[7 Biddies]

Well, this is my weekly post to say my girls are 22 weeks old and none of my 23 are laying yet....

I'm so sorry.

 

[Simmonsfunnyfrm]

It will happen, right? Yes. It will happen one day...my grandma has been joking with me saying I wound up with a bunch of roosters haha

 

[RyeRanch]

You have GOT to be close with at least some of them. Unbelievable that out of 23 chickens, not a one of them has laid an egg at 22 weeks.

On the bright side, I have heard that hens who start laying later tend to be healthier in the long run and tend to produce larger eggs. Here's to long laying healthy hens...

 

[Flowerbh]

It will happen, right? Yes. It will happen one day...my grandma has been joking with me saying I wound up with a bunch of roosters haha

3 of my chickens started laying at 22 + 2 days old. My EE has laid 11 days in a row so far!!!! My other 4 pullets are 24 weeks old and not laying. I have read that the older and slower the hen is to mature, the healthier it is for them. Their bones and bodies are more ready then. Some people feed their pullets too much protein to get them to mature early, but it really isn't good for them. So just think, your girls (and mine) are getting strong healthy bones and bodies! Yea! Good luck....I know how you feel! Still excited to run to the nest boxes to see if anyone new is laying! Are they squatting for you? Mine started squatting about 10 days before they started laying. My 4 that aren't laying yet aren't squatting yet either! At least I get some eggs from my other girls! lOVE tHEM!

 

[Simmonsfunnyfrm]

You guys are the best! I had to quit complaining to my regular friends and family weeks ago lol....but no, not a single squat for me or any of the 4 roos. 2 of the Cinnamon Queens have huge red combs and are really filled out, there are 4 some odd other girls who are on their way and I'm not sure who does it but someone is getting noisier and noisier every morning, squawking up a storm for a couple minutes then back to the regular clucking and cooing. Surely it will be soon. I have also heard the later they start the better so perhaps it's in everyone's best interest Haha, at this rate these gals will still be poppin' one out 6 days a week at 5 years old!

ETA Just in case anyone was wondering the EE, Welsummers, and 5 of the Cinnamon Queens are from Cackle. The other CQs are from an unknown hatchery that supplies them to 4-Hers (got them in a trade) and the RIRs and Cochins came from a respected breeder.

 

[Happy Chooks]

It will happen, right? Yes. It will happen one day...my grandma has been joking with me saying I wound up with a bunch of roosters haha

Yep, any time now. Go to the store and buy eggs, then you'll start getting them.

 

[Flowerbh]

I have a barred rock who just started laying. Apparently she thinks Easter is awesome as she lays an egg in a deferent place every day. Any ideas how to get a chicken to lay in the same place every day ( preferably in the nest box)
Thanks!

Did you try putting fake eggs in the nests? It is believed that chickens will lay where other chickens are laying because they think it is safe if other chickens think it's safe. I put my fake eggs in weeks before they started laying. That way, they have already "picked" on them and found them not something to eat. It helps when the real eggs come. Now, they don't have any curiosity about the real eggs because they didn't find the fake eggs appetizing. Fake eggs can be plastic easter eggs, golf balls, or wooden eggs. Good luck!