Help please!!!

[jlj1113]

We have two EE. The one on the left has been laying regularly since the beginning of April. The one on the right has not. She goes in her nesting box for about 15 minutes then comes out and sings an egg song

. No eggs though! Any ideas?

 

[AthenaT]

Dont worry...my first rescue EE'er was a year old before she laid her first egg...she lays almost daily now

 

[jlj1113]

Dont worry...my first rescue EE'er was a year old before she laid her first egg...she lays almost daily now

Oh wow! I had no idea they could be such late bloomers! Thanks for the reply

 

[MackChick]

I have also had EE's that take longer to start laying. Be patient! Sounds like she's getting really close though. Do they free range? Is it possible she's hiding her eggs around your yard in secret nests?

 

[jlj1113]

I have also had EE's that take longer to start laying. Be patient! Sounds like she's getting really close though. Do they free range? Is it possible she's hiding her eggs around your yard in secret nests? 

They do free range. We've searched the yard many times, but came up empty handed:-( I've also pulled a few spy missions on her while she was in her box. Thought maybe she was eating them, but she didn't even lay. How old were yours when they started laying?

 

[MackChick]

Anywhere between 5-8 months from the same batch of chick... how old is she?

 

[jlj1113]

Anywhere between 5-8 months from the same batch of chick... how old is she?

They both just turned 7 months. Same batch

 

[aart]

Here's a couple clues that may tell whether a pullet is nearing lay:


Squatting:
If you touch their back they will hunker down on the ground, then shake their tail feathers when they get back up.
This shows they are sexually mature and egg laying is close at hand.

Combs and Wattles:
Plump, shiny red - usually means laying.
Shriveled, dryish looking and pale - usually means not laying.

2 bony points on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.

 

[jlj1113]

Here's a couple clues that may tell whether a pullet is nearing lay:



Squatting:
If you touch their back they will hunker down on the ground, then shake their tail feathers when they get back up.
This shows they are sexually mature and egg laying is close at hand.

Combs and Wattles:
Plump, shiny red - usually means laying.
Shriveled, dryish looking and pale - usually means not laying.

2 bony points on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.

Thank you!