First Egg Countdown

[HomesteaderMel]

I have 4 RIR that are 21 1/2 weeks old... still waiting for eggs! One of them squatted and danced for me a couple days in a row, and they are all getting nice big, red waddles and combs

Waiting very im-patiently!

I do have a question, though. If my chickens are free-range, should I still give them egg shells/oyster shell?? Just wondering if they can find enough calcium in the yard...
Thanks!

 

[babyjaycol]

When when when when WHEN is my RIR going to lay? 24 weeks and counting. The only chicken i have seen in the nesting box is her HUSBAND! At least I like her anyway, even if she never lays. She's so pretty!

 

[stcroixusvi]

Quote:
Wow, not sure I could handle the suspense. I went to buy feed today and the feed shop owner asked me if I wanted layer feed

You can switch them to layer feed at 17 weeks.

Thanks, I didn't know that - guess I'll get a bag of layer and start mixing it in with grower. Certainly makes sense since they are hopefully in the process of cranking up egg making parts!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Hate to be a Debbie Downer, but my wellies never start before 24 weeks. Hatchery wellies may lay a bit sooner though. I'm still waiting on a wellie that's 26 weeks old.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
I would offer it in a separate dish, so they can take it when they want. I have a sour cream container nailed to the wall of the coop at their level. They take what they want when they need it.

 

[Velvet Hairpiece]

WOO! Got my first egg EVER as a chicken mama on Saturday from my lovely BR Mrs. T Bottom! It's so tiny and beautiful! She's about 21 weeks old, I was so surprised (even though I've been checking for them for several weeks)! And then the next day... Ms. Wenifred left a GORGEOUS little green egg for me! I really didn't expect to have two start at the same time, but they did! So far we've got 5 eggs total, saving up for a normal sized breakfast for 3.

I'm so excited, I cannot wait to try them!

 

[off-grid hen]

This weekend marks week 20 that I've had my girls. No eggs yet. Wondering what my leghorns are waiting for, but as long as they start eventually, I don't mind. I know my dominiques and partridge rocks will be later, but I wonder which of them will lay first?

 

[HomesteaderMel]

I just posted yesterday about my 21 1/2 week RIR- I found an egg this morning!!!!!
We couldn't find her in the yard, and when my two younger kids and I were in the back yard looking for her we heard her squawking in the front... I knew what that meant

We followed the sound to our coop and she was strutting proudly out of the coop.
It is a bit small, but a beautiful light brown- Yay, Panini!!! You go girl!

 

[wowmanacat]

to all that have gotten there first eggs.
I am still waiting but at least I am not going to have to go looking for them. I have had to lock up my chickens since I lost two in two days to a fox or something. Only one of the were a pullet.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Well, with a name like Panini, she figured she'd better lay an egg. Otherwise you might be enjoying a chicken panini sandwich!