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I need to be patient, but ... UPDATED: 3 (!!!!) Eggs on the First Day!

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by ChestnutRidge, Sep 24, 2011.

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  1. Sep 24, 2011 #1
    ChestnutRidge

    ChestnutRidge Chillin' With My Peeps

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    I have 5 pullets which are 22 weeks old today. They were hatched for Mahonri's Easter Hatch this spring. Three are Easter Eggers, which I think I've read are notoriously late to start laying, but I thought I might have an egg by now from my Speckled Sussex or Welsummer. [​IMG]

    Also, I figured I'd begin offering oyster shell or some other calcium supplement once I saw the first egg (which I expect to be soft). Is that correct, or should I offer calcium in anticipation of point-of-lay? I am really enjoying my chickens, but every time I buy eggs I wonder when I will be able to stop. [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2011
  3. Sep 24, 2011 #2
    Hot2Pot

    Hot2Pot Fox Hollow Rabbitry

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    After 20 weeks, I give them layer pellets. ;-)
     
  5. Sep 24, 2011 #3
    nincomcoop

    nincomcoop Out Of The Brooder

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    Quote:Should be any day now! My SS and EEs started around that time. The anticipation is grueling tho.
     
  7. Sep 24, 2011 #4
    Happy Chooks

    Happy Chooks Moderator Staff Member

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    You are really close. My welsummers don't start laying until 24 weeks. I still have one holding out on me at 28 weeks (along with 2 barnevelders).
     
  9. Sep 24, 2011 #5
    CarolJ

    CarolJ Dogwood Trace Farm

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    I was at the same place you are a couple months ago. The first of my 7 hens to lay (an Ancona) laid her first egg at 22 weeks/6 days - and the last (an EE) laid her first egg at 26 weeks/4 days. Now, on many days I get an egg from all 7 - and it is unusual to get less than 5 per day. So it'll happen, but the waiting sure is hard!
     
  11. Sep 24, 2011 #6
    ChestnutRidge

    ChestnutRidge Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Thanks for the encouragement. Maybe in the next few weeks...

    So, you think I should go ahead with the calcium?
     
  13. Sep 25, 2011 #7
    ChestnutRidge

    ChestnutRidge Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Here were some of the ladies today. I think their combs are red enough to be ready...

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Maybe not Henny...
    [​IMG]
     
  15. Sep 25, 2011 #8
    so lucky

    so lucky Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Your first pic looks just like one of my EEs, only mine has a little more black on her head. It makes her look evil, but she's a sweetie. Are your girls squatting yet? Have they gotten friendlier? I still have an EE who hasn't started laying yet. She is over 22 weeks, but a runt.
     
  17. Sep 25, 2011 #9
    farmerChef

    farmerChef Chillin' With My Peeps

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    do you freerange all day? They might have a hidden nest somewhere. Those EE combs do look very red.
     
  19. Sep 25, 2011 #10
    southerndesert

    southerndesert B & M Chicken Ranch

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    They sure look close and I'd expect one any day as well, like the Healer we have one also....
     
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