I have 5 hens/pullets ( 2 easter eggers, 2 blue favaucanas, 1 lavender orpington) and one rooster (lavender orpington). They are all 5 1/2 months old. Just this week, I finally got my first egg! I don't know whose it is, but by process of elimination it has to be my lav orp (Rose) or one of my EEs (Ruth).
Ruth has refused to leave the coop since the day or so before the first egg (of two so far) appeared. However, I have never seen her sit on them. Both eggs were cold when I collected them. She built what looked like a nest in the coop ( not in the provided nesting boxes) but the eggs have been laid in the nesting boxes, not in the nest she built. Today, while the rest of the flock was out free ranging, she did come out of the coop after lots of baiting, and I picked her up and made her get outside for some fresh air. They've been so cooped up because of the cold and snowy weather in PA, so I felt it was important that they get out as much as possible in the warmer weather we've been having. She did spend the rest of the day outside, but refused to stick with the rest of the flock. She does seem to be a bit of a loner. The other girls don't really pick on her much, but I would guess she's at the bottom of the pecking order.
She didn't seem to have any noticeable health issues, but if she is broody would she be laying eggs? Is it possible that my lav orpington is laying the eggs and Ruth is broody?
And on a slightly different topic, I notice that my rooster only mounts two of my hens of the 5. He seems to choose the more mature looking hens. Is it fair to say that he is more attracted to more mature hens? (Another reason why I'm not sure it's Ruth who is laying.... )
Since I know everyone likes pictures... I've included our holiday card, that features our newbies...
And no chickens were harmed during this process!! Just a lot of photo editing!
Ruth has refused to leave the coop since the day or so before the first egg (of two so far) appeared. However, I have never seen her sit on them. Both eggs were cold when I collected them. She built what looked like a nest in the coop ( not in the provided nesting boxes) but the eggs have been laid in the nesting boxes, not in the nest she built. Today, while the rest of the flock was out free ranging, she did come out of the coop after lots of baiting, and I picked her up and made her get outside for some fresh air. They've been so cooped up because of the cold and snowy weather in PA, so I felt it was important that they get out as much as possible in the warmer weather we've been having. She did spend the rest of the day outside, but refused to stick with the rest of the flock. She does seem to be a bit of a loner. The other girls don't really pick on her much, but I would guess she's at the bottom of the pecking order.
She didn't seem to have any noticeable health issues, but if she is broody would she be laying eggs? Is it possible that my lav orpington is laying the eggs and Ruth is broody?
And on a slightly different topic, I notice that my rooster only mounts two of my hens of the 5. He seems to choose the more mature looking hens. Is it fair to say that he is more attracted to more mature hens? (Another reason why I'm not sure it's Ruth who is laying.... )
Since I know everyone likes pictures... I've included our holiday card, that features our newbies...
