First Egg Countdown

[Happy Chooks]

I've been catching my barnevelder checking out the nest boxes and she's getting very vocal. Soon, very soon!

I set eggs in the bator last night too - mostly wellies, with a few olive eggers.

 

[Pele]

I've been catching my barnevelder checking out the nest boxes and she's getting very vocal. Soon, very soon!

I set eggs in the bator last night too - mostly wellies, with a few olive eggers.

Yay! I was beginning to think it would take an act of congress to get that girl moving! lol.

Good luck on your hatch, I'll cross my fingers for you!

 

[MissusC]

Just got our second girl laying! I think it's my light brahma, Daenerys as she's the only other one that has been squatting.



One on the left is the new one. Right one is my EE, Sansa that has been laying for almost a month now.

 

[OleMissChic]

Alright! Hypothesis time...

So... you guys know that I have been keeping ridonculously detailed records on my chickens' laying habits...





The five chickens that are laying started laying eggs as long as they had at least 9 hours and 48 minutes of daylight... give or take... Two of my ladies apparently "missed" that "cutoff time"... A SLW, and an EE.

As of Jan 15th, we'll be back up to 9 hours and 45 minute days. So if logic follows... I should expect them to start laying anytime after Jan 15th.

Now, if breed plays a factor, my other Wyandotte started laying when there was still at least 10 hours 11 minute in a day. And if Wyandottes need more light than EEs then I shouldn't expect to see an egg from Nandi until after Jan 30th.

Of course... this could all be futile speculation that has no bearing whatsoever on when they will start... but it is fun (to me)... so... yeah!

I love that you do this! So Interesting!

 

[Pele]

Just got our second girl laying! I think it's my light brahma, Daenerys as she's the only other one that has been squatting.



One on the left is the new one. Right one is my EE, Sansa that has been laying for almost a month now.

Congrats!!! And your EE must be the sister of mine, they lay the EXACT same color of egg! I haven't see any other EE get that nice Easter mint green before.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I did get a barnevelder egg today.........................but........................not from my pullet. My older hen started back up from her molt. Still waiting on that darn pullet.

 

[Melabella]

I did get a barnevelder egg today.........................but........................not from my pullet. My older hen started back up from her molt. Still waiting on that darn pullet.

I'm curious HC,

How long did it take for her to get through her molt. I have been reading it varies. Do you supplement with higher protien when your chickens are molting?

Thanks,
MB

 

[Happy Chooks]

I'm curious HC,

How long did it take for her to get through her molt. I have been reading it varies. Do you supplement with higher protien when your chickens are molting?

Thanks,
MB

Yes, I mix Game Bird Starter (30% protein) in with their normal feed, Flockraiser (20% protein). Plus I give meat scraps as often as possible. Mealworms are fantastic for protein, but I didn't get any this year. I do the freeze dried because I can't stand the live ones.

It does vary by hen and how hard their molt is. My first hen that started back up was out of commission for 4 months. I just had another start up this week (olive egger) that was only out for not even 2 months. My barnevelder hen was out longer - I can't be positive how long, because I had 2 barnevelders laying at the time and can't tell the difference between their eggs, but it was around 4 months for her.

It usually takes around 3-4 months for most of my birds. I was down to 1-2 eggs a day and now I'm getting 4-5, so it is improving. (out of 27 hens of laying age)

 

[Melabella]

Yes, I mix Game Bird Starter (30% protein) in with their normal feed, Flockraiser (20% protein). Plus I give meat scraps as often as possible. Mealworms are fantastic for protein, but I didn't get any this year. I do the freeze dried because I can't stand the live ones.

It does vary by hen and how hard their molt is. My first hen that started back up was out of commission for 4 months. I just had another start up this week (olive egger) that was only out for not even 2 months. My barnevelder hen was out longer - I can't be positive how long, because I had 2 barnevelders laying at the time and can't tell the difference between their eggs, but it was around 4 months for her.

It usually takes around 3-4 months for most of my birds. I was down to 1-2 eggs a day and now I'm getting 4-5, so it is improving. (out of 27 hens of laying age)

I have bookmarked this post for the future. I fed my girls the last of the left over filet mignon from Christmas. It was the ends that I forgot about in the back of the fridge. It was like sharks feeding, madness,,, sheer madness! I have been so enjoying my 12 days of eggs since New Years Eve, boy will I be bummed when the first molt comes. My 9 girls are 24 weeks, and just reached POL. I am positive 4 maybe 5 are laying. Last 3 days I have had 4 egg a day. I wonder if I will ever have 9 eggs in one day. The stars will have to line up just right!

Have a great day,

 

[Happy Chooks]

Stockpile your eggs starting in August in the refrigerator. Cram as many as you can in there. You will need them when your girls are out of commission. Line them up so you use the oldest ones first. Even then, you may still run out. Heaven forbid you have to buy store bought eggs. *shudder* I just barely made it through winter without having to buy eggs.

Forgotten filet?

You will get 9 eggs in a day, but probably not until the daylight increases - more towards spring.