Laying ?

[Ponte]

Did you......?

I had two houses tented over the weekend so did not have time to check the pelvic bones but will tomorrow morning.

 

[Ponte]

Did you......?

aart

Am not sure I correctly performed the hen pubic bone measurement test but the hen with the largest and reddest comb measured 2.5 fingers. I am a fairly large man, almost 6-2 235 lbs so my fingers are not dainty. What gives doubt to my measurements is that her vent looked very small, not at all like the vent on the laying hen in the video.
Also, they spent four days locked up in the aviary and there are no eggs to be found.

 

[aart]

Between the 2 bony points(pelvic bones F-F) on either side of vent?
Their bones can spread a couple weeks before they actually lay..so vent appearance may fall behind point spread.

 

[Ponte]

hopefully there will be free ranging fresh eggs in our kitchen soon.

Will keep you updated.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Came by the house today to check on the girls, two where very active trying to get out of the aviary, one was squatting, not getting up. Thought I might have timed it perfect and would find an egg when she got up, I was wrong.
They have been locked up almost three days now and no eggs, maybe they are still too young.

They could very well be too young to lay. It is also nearing winter and that may be a problem as the day light is getting shorter. I would post an update either when they first lay or in a months time.

 

[Ponte]

Two weeks later and still no eggs.
The Buff Orpingtons are now 26 weeks old. I have kept them locked up till around 2 pm, afterwards let them free range. I have looked carefully throughout their free range territory for eggs.
Checked her vent yesterday and it looked very wet, she also squats when I have my hand over her. Comb and wattle are blood red.
Are there hens who lay late in the day ?
When hens lay eggs out in the field, do they make a nest and what would it look like ?

 

[aart]

Are there hens who lay late in the day ?

Newly laying pullets can lay any time of day...or night.
Keep them locked up 24/7 for a few days.

 

[wamtazlady]

When my buff orpington was the only one to not be laying by this time of the year I realized she wasn't going to lay this year at all. I was right. At the moment the days are getting shorter and the birds may not be getting enough hours to stimulate laying. My buff started to lay in Feb as the days were increasing in daylight. She ended up being a good layer, she was just a late starter.