Laying Question

[lysanderish]

My chickens finally started laying! We got two eggs - a smallish brown one and a teeny white one - yesterday! I'm pretty sure they came from our Welsummer (Uther) and our Polish Crested (Lady Pouff). Seeing as I didn't find any eggs this morning, I thought it prudent to ask about it.

Do new layers sometimes need to sort of work up to laying almost everyday? Will the fact that these two have started laying influence the other two to start laying as well? I mean, they're all the same age (21-22 weeks) so I guess I wouldn't be surprised if they started soon anyway (though I've heard Orpingtons start laying around 30 weeks?).

I know Pouff probably won't be a great layer (and it's not because she's a weirdo who randomly decided to sleep in trees at night sometimes). I'm just curious.

 

[ChickenMammX4]

I thinks that's pretty normal. We got our first egg, then 4 days later egg 2, then 3 days later egg 3, then 2 days later egg 4. We haven't had an egg since Saturday but there's been a lot of "singing" and sitting in the nesting boxes this morning. We've been finding the eggs midday so I'm hopeing to find one later.

 

[sourland]

It will take a while until the whole egg laying process is perfected. The fact that two are laying will not impact the other two. It's all about the hormones and rate of development.

 

[lysanderish]

Alright. Good to know. Thanks!

 

[Waynesworld92]

I think it is so funny when they are so proud of themselves laying and start singing! Sometimes I feel I need to go over and start clapping and tell them what a good job they have done!

 

[lysanderish]

Yesterday morning they were the chattiest things, hanging around the coop a lot (normally they like to hang out in the garden or behind the shed), generally acting like I'd expect birds preparing to lay to act, right? Accidentally caught Pouff sitting in there when I went to check for eggs after the noise had died down even. She was in there forever.

But no. Nah. Not a single egg. They're free-loaders!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My polish are some of my best layers, but mine are not tame and they scream and fly at my head when I go to check for eggs. A lot of my hens lay every other day, it does depend on the breed and time of year, and it does take time for a young hen to become regular.

 

[aart]

It can take up to a month or so before things smooth out to 'normal'.

 

[lysanderish]

I'll keep that in mind and I'm trying to be patient, but I'm just so excited to start getting eggs regularly from these birds, man. Patience is not my strongest quality.

 

[aart]

I'll keep that in mind and I'm trying to be patient, but I'm just so excited to start getting eggs regularly from these birds, man. Patience is not my strongest quality.

Chickens can teach you patience......or not.