Help! Young Reba sounds pitiful!

[KToddy]

You said she is only 4 months old, so she probably isn’t laying yet. Any that haven’t started to reach sexual maturity/POL will have pale combs.

thank you for easing my mind!! I really love these darn chickens.... I have to keep repeating what my daughter says: Chickens are here for a GOOD time not a LONG time.

 

[KToddy]

You said she is only 4 months old, so she probably isn’t laying yet. Any that haven’t started to reach sexual maturity/POL will have pale combs.

Can you tell me what is POL? She is doing better.. still a pale comb though.

 

[azygous]

POL = "point of lay" .

 

[Eggcessive]

POL is point of lay, or when they start to lay eggs. The combs are usually pale until just before when they become red. A molting hen or one who does not lay anymore may become pale again.

 

[KToddy]

POL is point of lay, or when they start to lay eggs. The combs are usually pale until just before when they become red. A molting hen or one who does not lay anymore may become pale again.

I was thinking they should all start laying really soon… is this a sign I am correct? All were hatched about May 20th

 

[Eggcessive]

They may start within the next month or so. I got many different breeds and most started laying between 20-24 weeks. Some breeds lay later.

 

[KToddy]

They may start within the next month or so. I got many different breeds and most started laying between 20-24 weeks. Some breeds lay later.

I have naked necks, easter eggers, polish, silkie mixed, saramas, and one silver laced wyandotte… so hopefully soon ??!!

 

[Eggcessive]

My EE’s, wyandottes, and ameraucanas layed fairly early, but Polish and Silies were later, and poor layers. The silkies would lay a couple of weeks, and go broody all of the time. They have to be broken or they will starve themselves.

 

[KToddy]

My EE’s, wyandottes, and ameraucanas layed fairly early, but Polish and Silies were later, and poor layers. The silkies would lay a couple of weeks, and go broody all of the time. They have to be broken or they will starve themselves.

Good info- thanks! We hatched them from my neighbor’s mixed flock- but purchased easter eggers & wyandottes- and the turduckens/naked necks… how pray-tell do I break them of going broody if/when they do?

 

[Eggcessive]

A wire dog crate with food and water, but no bedding, is good for breaking broodies. I was fortunate to have large pen on the ground where my broodies would roam around and they had a roost to sit on. I would keep them in there for 5 days, and put them back in the coop. If they still went to the nest box, they would go back for an additional 3 days. Some could be very stubborn broodies.