Well, almost 20 weeks (had to recheck the records). 19 weeks and 6 days. These are Ideal Hatchery Leghorns and Ideal 236 birds. I know one egg is from a Leghorn. The second egg could be from 3 girls that are showing and acting the same. So, instead of 2 eggs like today, tomorrow could be 4 or none.
Eggs are small and will try for breakfast this weekend. Wondering how many I'll have by then. Both eggs were in the same nest. The nest has been fluffed for almost 2 weeks. Yesterday, where the 2 golf balls were, there was an honest bird's nest where the hen swirled and piled the hay up. Very impressive. Yes, I checked after dark yesterday and put the golf ball back on top. No eggs then. 2 today. One buried with the golf ball and one neatly laid on top. I'm still missing the second golf ball, but it should be in there.
From the postings here, the target was 16 to 24 weeks for Leghorns, so these ladies are normal. Good to know and hope they continue through the winter. The Barred Rocks are not close. One Rhode Island Red is showing promise, but the pelvic bones are still close (less than one finger spread). The Production Reds are not even red around the eyes like the Barred Rocks. I'll guess that they won't lay until next spring. No roosters in this backyard suburban flock.
All the birds are from Ideal and same hatch date. Fed the same and housed in same coop.
Leading up to the egg laying were several signs. Combs filling out and turning RED, seems about 4 weeks. Loud calling from the mature birds for 3 weeks. Only a couple did the squat and tail shake after petting and that has been since the weekend. Maybe the 2? Hay fluffing been going about a week. Really didn't throw more than a hand full out of the box, but stirred it well leading to the nest yesterday. The Leghorns have been in the coop for less than a week. Whereas before no one went in except for bed. So in my mind, this happened sudden.
Cheers and happy egg collecting!
Eggs are small and will try for breakfast this weekend. Wondering how many I'll have by then. Both eggs were in the same nest. The nest has been fluffed for almost 2 weeks. Yesterday, where the 2 golf balls were, there was an honest bird's nest where the hen swirled and piled the hay up. Very impressive. Yes, I checked after dark yesterday and put the golf ball back on top. No eggs then. 2 today. One buried with the golf ball and one neatly laid on top. I'm still missing the second golf ball, but it should be in there.
From the postings here, the target was 16 to 24 weeks for Leghorns, so these ladies are normal. Good to know and hope they continue through the winter. The Barred Rocks are not close. One Rhode Island Red is showing promise, but the pelvic bones are still close (less than one finger spread). The Production Reds are not even red around the eyes like the Barred Rocks. I'll guess that they won't lay until next spring. No roosters in this backyard suburban flock.
All the birds are from Ideal and same hatch date. Fed the same and housed in same coop.
Leading up to the egg laying were several signs. Combs filling out and turning RED, seems about 4 weeks. Loud calling from the mature birds for 3 weeks. Only a couple did the squat and tail shake after petting and that has been since the weekend. Maybe the 2? Hay fluffing been going about a week. Really didn't throw more than a hand full out of the box, but stirred it well leading to the nest yesterday. The Leghorns have been in the coop for less than a week. Whereas before no one went in except for bed. So in my mind, this happened sudden.
Cheers and happy egg collecting!
Last edited:
