Leghorns -19 weeks to first eggs

[aart]

I might have been accused of being one myself, but they are idiots

The accusers are idiots, right?

There's a few noisy ones here that are still tight boned....ya just never know.
I don't call 'layer' until I catch them on the nest over a hot, wet egg.

 

[RUNuts]

Exactly. The accusers are ignorant idiots idlely indulging in intoxication.

I haven't caught any of mine on a nest, but I work daily. Spent most of today in the yard & nada.

 

[aart]

Exactly. The accusers are ignorant idiots idlely indulging in intoxication.

I haven't caught any of mine on a nest, but I work daily. Spent most of today in the yard & nada.

Haha!

Am mostly retired, and mostly work from home when I do.
I sometimes stalk the coop when pullets get close or when I see a new egg.
Last one I 'caught' when I was doing morning chores.

 

[RUNuts]

Well, after nothing yesterday, I caught one of the hens on the nest having a private moment. I was curious when I was one hen short of a full flock. Yes, on the nest. No, not the one I thought was laying. She is one of the flightier ones that won't have anything to do with me unless I have mealworms. The way to a girls heart!

So 3 firsts today:
1) caught one on the nest
2) heard her announce the egg song - haven't heard it before.
3) found yesterday's egg planted in the dirt. I thought it was a piece of trash, nope. Someone planted that sucker and I only saw a small portion of the top.

So should I count that as yesterday's or today's egg?
2-1-2-1-1?-1 so far today.

Saw on another thread that switching to layer will slow down maturation? Anything to this? The feed store's flock raiser was older than I wanted and he only had layer feed. I wanted more flock raiser, but not enough demand. I need to ask him to order me some then. I wonder what minimum order is and how I can store it. I have saber toothed cockroaches that gnaw into everything and the MG paper bags won't slow them much.

 

[RUNuts]

I'm really confused at this point. And got the first brown egg! That means the RIR popped one out. Good news! I checked her yesterday when she started squatting and wow. She musta been ready. The others are one finger or less on the pelvis.

Bad news, no white eggs. That means they are taking turns??? Between the days getting shorter and young layers, this is very sporadic. But 1 egg a day from 18 hens? Hmm

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

All this butt checking, I am happy to say I have NEVER looked at my chickens butts.

There, I said it, I am not ashamed.

Gary

 

[RUNuts]

All this butt checking, I am happy to say I have NEVER looked at my chickens butts.

There, I said it, I am not ashamed.

Gary

Not looking, too many feathers. Just grab a handful! Much more pleasant! LOL

 

[aart]

All this butt checking, I am happy to say I have NEVER looked at my chickens butts.

There, I said it, I am not ashamed.

Gary

Hahaha!!
It's a good thing to learn.....especially for regular parasite checks, as well as laying status.

 

[RUNuts]

Today's update. Nada as well as yesterday. Appears they were just practicing and I crowed too early. I hate it when that happens!

A lot more of them are showing ready status. Squatting (I've gotten more girl friends!) and reddening faces. A couple are following me around more than previously. Like, get out of the way.

Still having a wonderful time. Should have done this decades ago.

 

[AllenK RGV]

And you must have a walk in coop. I wasn't that smart. But I'm getting better!

MY coop I can walk in but still bump my head on every other rafter!