First Egg Countdown

[babowman3]

@HappyChooks What do you think about this EE? She's been in and out of the nest boxes along with some of the others.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Her comb is really red, but I can't see around her eye well - is it just as red? If she's practicing in the nests, that's a very good sign.

 

[babowman3]

Yes her eye is just as red. She's still so skittish though for me to get close enough to her for a good pic. Her and her sister are my fiances favorite. And he's very anxious about colored eggs lol.

 

[bellmare]

I recently purchased two Australorp pullets from a local woman who was moving, and I was told one of them was laying already. I got one egg from her and then nothing for a week! I told her last night if she didn't start laying again she was destined to be a meat bird. Guess what?! A big beautiful egg from her in the nest box today! My pep talk worked!!!

 

[BunnyLover44]

Congrats!

 

[Happy Chooks]

I recently purchased two Australorp pullets from a local woman who was moving, and I was told one of them was laying already. I got one egg from her and then nothing for a week! I told her last night if she didn't start laying again she was destined to be a meat bird. Guess what?! A big beautiful egg from her in the nest box today! My pep talk worked!!!

Chickens hate change, so when their surroundings get changed, they can quit laying for a week or two. It doesn't matter how small the change is either - nest box change, birds in, birds out, etc.

 

[bellmare]

I'm realizing that the Australorps are a little more sensitive than my reds. They hate ANY change, but I've moved things around a few times in the coop for my RIRs and they've never missed a day!

 

[babowman3]

I'm about to give up on my girls. 24 weeks. Such red combs and faces. Squatting. Even letting the rooster mate. Nooooooo eggs.

 

[bellmare]

I'm about to give up on my girls. 24 weeks. Such red combs and faces. Squatting. Even letting the rooster mate. Nooooooo eggs.

Frustrating!

 

[chicksurreal]

I'm about to give up on my girls. 24 weeks. Such red combs and faces. Squatting. Even letting the rooster mate. Nooooooo eggs.

Don't give up! I'm sure they are almost there. Mine are coming up on 24 weeks too, they are all in different stages of development, but no eggs yet. They'll get there! The waiting is excruciating, but in a good way. I love to watch them grow into the beautiful hens that they will be.

I think we all need a no-egg support group to get us through until they do lay.