First Eggs

[grtnana]

Good morning everyone,

I have at RIR and a SLW, they are both 23 weeks. Can anybody teel me when I can expect them to start laying. Or if there is anything I can do to help the process?

I am a newbie and don't know what to expect.

Thanks everybody for your help

 

[iwiw60]

Good morning everyone,

I have at RIR and a SLW, they are both 23 weeks. Can anybody teel me when I can expect them to start laying. Or if there is anything I can do to help the process?

I am a newbie and don't know what to expect.

Thanks everybody for your help

Hello from Oregon!

At 23 weeks they should be getting real close to lay. Have you seen them do the "submissive squat" yet? That's a sure sign they'll lay any day. If you don't know what that is exactly here's how to tell....when you're in the run with them slowly bring your hand down as if to pet them on their back...if they "squat" they're close!!!

What type of feed are you giving them right now?

 

[aart]

In addition to the squatting, their combs should enlarge and redden near point of lay.

Have they been checking out the nests in the coop? That's another sign.

Do you free range? They may lay out in their range area.

 

[grtnana]

Thank you for your response. Another week and no eggs

I am not sure why they haven't laid yet. I have a golden comet and she has been laying for about 4 weeks. I can't get close enough to the slw or rir to see if they squat for some reason they hide when I come around.
Am I just being to anxious??

 

[aart]

In addition to the squatting, their combs should enlarge and redden near point of lay.

Have they been checking out the nests in the coop? That's another sign.

Do you free range? They may lay out in their range area.

Thank you for your response. Another week and no eggs

I am not sure why they haven't laid yet. I have a golden comet and she has been laying for about 4 weeks. I can't get close enough to the slw or rir to see if they squat for some reason they hide when I come around.
Am I just being to anxious??

I'll ask again....do you free range?

 

[grtnana]

I do not let them out in the yard however they do have a space under their coop where they can move around all day.

 

[iwiw60]

I do not let them out in the yard however they do have a space under their coop where they can move around all day.

We really need to see a picture of your coop and run so that we might spot something that might need correcting in your setup. Also, are they doing the submissive squat yet?

 

[aart]

I do not let them out in the yard however they do have a space under their coop where they can move around all day.

Ah OK, then they are not hiding eggs out on the range somewhere.

The comets will lay much earlier than than other breeds...just be patient....my light brahmas are just getting ready at 22 weeks.

ETA: oops.... corrected 28 to 22 weeks. But still, just be patient...not much you can do anyway ;-)

 

[grtnana]

Thank you I will waint patiently.