First Egg Countdown

[bekahubbell]

I know my only one laying, RIR, she acts different before she lays. Kind of testy. Good luck, the first egg wait is killer.

 

[andreanar]

My CM's are acting weird. They are louder than normal and have been coming up behind me to peck at my clothes. They've never acted like that. I was attributing it to that I got rid of the cockerals about 10 days ago, but maybe grouchy pms! Lol

 

[cherokeebird]

Ok all 10 of my Buffs are around 20 weeks, starting to get a few red combs. Counting the days!!!

 

[BriardChickens]

I wonder if it's just getting too cold for mine to start laying...?

 

[sunflower4you]

Good point about the changing seasons. Mine are 18 weeks right now. What if they do not reach POL until 24 weeks and by then it is mid-late October in a northern climate? Will they not lay until spring?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Happy Chooks

And yes, they will still lay. It sometimes takes them a bit longer to start laying though. (unless you have lights in your coop) I hatch all through the year and I don't light my coop, but the pullets will still start laying in winter.

 

[BriardChickens]

Thank you for bringing that answer forward Sunflower4you. I do have winter hardy heritage breeds so I guess my excitment remains the same Waiting for eggs! Patience is hard, haha...

 

[girlybirds]

Congrats! Isnt it great ! I too thought I'd never get eggs, especially since daylight is now 2+ hrs.
shorter!!! I've had eggs everyday and 4 of the six are laying, seems like they are taking a day off !
I'm getting 2 a day right now! So happy though and nothing like fresh eggs, now I know what everyone
was talking about. Worth all the work and waiting! Tomorrow I'll finish the winter coop I'm building
inside the garage, they already come in and watch so I'm gonna let them decide when to move!!! Theyll
still have access to the outdoors daily! It's tons of fun wish I could have more than 6! I will one day!
Happy for you Enjoy

 

[girlybirds]

I live in MA, I too thought maybe its too cold and I wasnt getting eggs till spring! But on October 9th,
I got 2 eggs and been getting 2 a day since, the girls are taking a day off in between so 4 laying every
other day. This is normal when they first start. More than just the color of the combs and wattles, You will
know they are ready when, they squat when you reach out to touch them. Just get down low, offer a treat
and try to pet (do this slowly as to not scare them) ones that are ready will squat, pet thier backs then lift
the tail, you will see the vent, it will be wet and look like it's trying to open. Thats when they are ready! You
will notice the difference in the vents as you go. But once they squat and let you pet, its a matter of 1-3 days.
Don't worry it will happen. I actually fed them a can of tuna I read it from an old farmer, within 2 days I had
egg????? If you do offer tuna do not do it often and be sure to offer grit and oyster shells. My girls are laying
nice hard shell eggs. They are on the small size, but this too is normal when they first start laying, in fact they
can be very small from all I've read. Mine are like small eggs you see in the grocery store! Good Luck and
dont worry it will happen! Keep us posted!

 

[girlybirds]

Hi Sunflower, I was just wondering what part of the country you are in? I've been considering
putting a light in the coop, or just on a timer for a couple of hours in the morning. I'm not keen
on messing with nature, so it's up in the air. I live in MA, my girls began laying on the 9th of
this month, well 4 of the six, daylight has been shorter by 2 hours+ and they began. I'm inclined
not to but well I just dont know? Thanx for your thoughts

 

[farmgirl7]

I got 3 eggs today! That means I have 3 laying. All but one is squatting, so I'm expecting a bunch of eggs fairly soon! I have leg horns which usually lay an egg daily once they get going. With 6 ladies, I could get up to 42 eggs per week.

Anybody have some good egg recipes? I've been doing research on the internet. I'm planning some coconut cream pie. Do hope the eggs get a little bigger real soon.