First Egg Countdown

[Junibutt]

Is she on the nest at night? She could be thinking about being broody but not fully there yet. I do nothing with my hens until they are on the nest for 2 consecutive nights - then I know they are serious. Not all will puff up and growl, though most of mine do. (Had 10 broodies this year). If in doubt, wait - it won't hurt her to sit an extra week until you are sure.

RIR are not known for broodiness, but I have a hatchery RIR (otherwise known as a production red) go broody. She has been broody twice now (once last year and once this year) and she is a great mother.

What breeds are you looking for? I can most likely find you some, but I need to know what you are looking for.

She was on the nest for 2 consecutive nights. Today she did come out for couple of hrs though. In the evening I moved her and couple of others into a new coop which I just finished and offered them food and water. She took no interest and within 5 minutes had made a nest in the farthest dark corner of the coop facing perfectly diagonally forward. (that was at 10:00 PM) I am concerned though that she did come out for couple of hrs during the day, so I will wait it out for a few days. Shall I give her some store eggs to give more power to her broodiness? because what if she got off for couple of hrs because there are no eggs to take care of?

She is probably a hatchery Production Red. The store owner where she was purchased by the original buyer does not disclose where she gets her chicks from, so can't confirm, but hopefully she is a good mom.

I already have the following now: Two Prod. Reds, 2 Red Stars, 2 Wyandottes (1 SL and 1 GL. SL is probably a mixed breed), 2 Australorps and one mixed breed Leghorn or Campine, so I am open to suggestions:

On my own I was thinking a mix of Orpingtons (some Buff and some Blue or Chocolate), light Brahmans, White or Barred rocks and or some Ameracaunas. Since except for Australorps and the GLW, I don't think I have any purebreds, therefore I want to make sure I can get eggs that are reputable. Brownie (the pullet that has gone broody) is a good size but are 12 eggs too many? or shall I give her 12 extra-large store eggs to see if she can cover them or not?

 

[LadyCluck77]

I have a production red named Brownie too! I do like them a lot.
From what I have read, 10 to 12 eggs is the maximum you'd want under a full size hen. The less chance they have of being way on the outside edge, the greater hatch rate. I was planning to do six under a broody if any of my girls take a notion.

As for breeds, it's all personal preference, I can tell you what I've been fantasizing about for my spring chicks. Since I mostly have them for eggs, I wanted some color, so Americaunas, and perhaps even Legbars or isbars if all goes well with my incubator and a couple of local breeders this spring.
Another breed I have been thinking about are Salmon Faverolles. They lay a pale brown egg. I like the look of them too.

I was also planning to buy Merecks vaccine for chicks, when I do a hatch.

Let us know what you decide

 

[wendychicklawyr]

My golden lace Wyandotte squatted for me yesterday

should be any day now!!! Right? Lol

 

[MrOrpington16]

My golden lace Wyandotte squatted for me yesterday

should be any day now!!! Right? Lol

LOL I've heard It can be a few days to Three weeks My hen just squatted 4 days ago so I am hoping for this week.. The day before I said I was getting hungry for eggs, but fried chicken will do.. I said she was starting too look yummy.. The day after she squatted lol... You can use reverse Phsychcology also... It works great

 

[Happy Chooks]

If my barred rock, easter egger, and welsommer are at 16 weeks, should I be getting a laying box ready so they will be used to it by the time they lay? I am assuming I still have a month or more before I can start really hoping for eggs, but I don't want them to be uncertain about the nesting box and laying in unexpected places. I am sort of procrastinating setting up a laying box because I want to avoid them developing any naughty sleeping in the nest box or pooping in the nest box habits.

Put the boxes in now. Make the roosts higher than the nesting boxes and you shouldn't have an issue of them sleeping in them. If you catch one trying to sleep there, relocate them to the roost. It may take a bit before they get the picture, but if you keep moving them, they will find the roost on their own.

Hi, I have 4 hens, a cinnamon queen, a bard rock, a americana and a rhode island red. Not sure if any of those are spelled correctly, so I apologize in advance. My girls are 22 week and I got my first egg today. YEAH!!! I am pretty sure it was the cinnamon queen who layed it because she was checking out the nest a lot today when I was cleaning the coop. I returned a few hours later and there it was. Oh so happy. Can't wait to see if there will be another tomorrow!
Debbie

Congrats!

She was on the nest for 2 consecutive nights. Today she did come out for couple of hrs though. In the evening I moved her and couple of others into a new coop which I just finished and offered them food and water. She took no interest and within 5 minutes had made a nest in the farthest dark corner of the coop facing perfectly diagonally forward. (that was at 10:00 PM) I am concerned though that she did come out for couple of hrs during the day, so I will wait it out for a few days. Shall I give her some store eggs to give more power to her broodiness? because what if she got off for couple of hrs because there are no eggs to take care of?

She is probably a hatchery Production Red. The store owner where she was purchased by the original buyer does not disclose where she gets her chicks from, so can't confirm, but hopefully she is a good mom.

I already have the following now: Two Prod. Reds, 2 Red Stars, 2 Wyandottes (1 SL and 1 GL. SL is probably a mixed breed), 2 Australorps and one mixed breed Leghorn or Campine, so I am open to suggestions:

On my own I was thinking a mix of Orpingtons (some Buff and some Blue or Chocolate), light Brahmans, White or Barred rocks and or some Ameracaunas. Since except for Australorps and the GLW, I don't think I have any purebreds, therefore I want to make sure I can get eggs that are reputable. Brownie (the pullet that has gone broody) is a good size but are 12 eggs too many? or shall I give her 12 extra-large store eggs to see if she can cover them or not?

If you moved her and she still went back to sitting, I'd say she's pretty serious. I wouldn't put regular grocery store eggs under her, as the shells are pretty dang thin and they would likely get broken. Give her some wooden eggs or golf balls to sit on and watch her a couple more days.

I'll see what I can come up with for you around those breeds - I'll send it to you via PM.

 

[meledwards]

First egg from my "teenager". This is Ginger's egg compared to her older sister "Hen" who has been laying for a while now already. I adopted Hen this past July and purchased 2 pullets shortly after. The Spice Girls, Ginger and Sugar, are 21 weeks. It was just like the forum said.....red comb and crouching down just a couple of days before, when approached. Now one last girl to wait for, for this exciting milestone!

 

[meledwards]

(THIS) not HIS....stupid auto correct!

 

[Junibutt]

Put the boxes in now. Make the roosts higher than the nesting boxes and you shouldn't have an issue of them sleeping in them. If you catch one trying to sleep there, relocate them to the roost. It may take a bit before they get the picture, but if you keep moving them, they will find the roost on their own.


Congrats!

If you moved her and she still went back to sitting, I'd say she's pretty serious. I wouldn't put regular grocery store eggs under her, as the shells are pretty dang thin and they would likely get broken. Give her some wooden eggs or golf balls to sit on and watch her a couple more days.

I'll see what I can come up with for you around those breeds - I'll send it to you via PM.

Thanks

 

[chynasparks]

Hello happy Chooks, well my little flock is doing better. Remember, I was thinking you were right about the foul pox. They were off their feed and had the scabs on the combs and wattles. The three girls are looking much better and acting better. But still no signs of egg laying. Right now I'm just happy they are doing better. We'll just keep on keepin' on and let them do what they're gonna do. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge and experience.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Hello happy Chooks, well my little flock is doing better. Remember, I was thinking you were right about the foul pox. They were off their feed and had the scabs on the combs and wattles. The three girls are looking much better and acting better. But still no signs of egg laying. Right now I'm just happy they are doing better. We'll just keep on keepin' on and let them do what they're gonna do. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge and experience.

I'm glad they are doing better. And you are welcome. I'm still learning too.