Michigan

[Olive Hill]

Quote:
20 weeks is a guideline, most chickens will not start laying until at or after that point. Some won't begin laying until considerably later, 30 or 40 weeks even.

That said, I'm assuming you probably already know it, but a few of those birds will never lay. You've got a few roos there.

hi Olive! I know that more than one person has said that I have 3 Roos... but I have to tell you that I am not so sure. They were all hatched on the same day... seen it myself... and the one Roo has been crowing and ruling the roost for over a month now. The other two have not done anything... their combs have not grown larger either. I am not sure that they are Roosters... I might be wrong.. but I have been feeding them and watching them.. and so far just the one rooster...Actually when they were baby chicks.. I called that rooster "Lady"... boy was I wrong....

You definitely have at least 3 roosters. I would bet a pretty penny on it. No question.

Comb and waddle size, age when they crow, size, all these things vary rooster to rooster even among roosters of the same breed. And you've got mutts to add to the confusion. I've got about 50 roosters outside right now who are all the same age (20 weeks), all the same breed even. Among them there are combs and waddles of all sizes, bodies of varied sizes, and only a handful crow.

As a matter of fact, some roosters will never crow if there is an alpha rooster in the same flock.

 

[gallinamama]

Thanks Olive.... you made my day...

Geez, now I only have 6 hens.... jimminy crickets... I didn't know that those rooster will never crow!! didn't know that at all... my lady..

he is a real piece of work... ruling his roost... he even has those two fooled... maybe I should try and separate them... or should I wait and see.??

I don't need three roosters... heck I don't even need the one... but I just might let a couple of the hens... hatch a few... ( sorry I don't know the terms.. to use)..I secretly would love another coop... my son is going to build me a bigger run this fall. he wants to put a roof over it... maybe if I put it side ways... I can have him build me another coop... I know my hubby will probably file... but at least I will have me chickens...

 

[GotChicken?]

gallinamama: I would feed your hens layer feed at their age irregardless of whether or not they are laying eggs yet. A couple of weeks ago I lost a sweetheart Chantecler pullet I got from Ellen because she wasn't getting enough calcium. The egg she should have laid got stuck in her oviduct, became infected, festered, and ended up killing her. I was devastated, and the other Chantecler pullet hasn't been the same since her hatch-sister passed. None of the other pullets that have started laying have had any problems, but it was a harsh lesson to learn.

 

[Opa]

Eighteen to twenty weeks is the suggest time to switch you birds to layer. While having birds lay before 20 weeks isnt rare a more realistic age to expect you first egg is 26 weeks. I've had birds take as long as 32 weeks before I got the first egg. The best thing to do is to expect them not to lay. That they are just another critter you have to feed. You avoid disappointment that way. Then when they finally do lay it's a pleasant surprize.

The molt is definitely adversely affecting the flocks egg production. Just 10 eggs again today. Since I keep track of the total ytd having them lay just 10 doesnt tax my math skills.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Quote:
We're in western Arenac County. Do you get off at M-61 exit 190? If you follow the sign that says "Sterling" we're about 7.5 miles north of there on the Rifle River.

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we are near the M-61 and 30. we do get off at I-75 exit 190 then turn left and go west 17 miles..if you pass the wooden shoe you've gone too far...

We talked about Gladwin a few weeks back. I remember

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Huston's Happy Hens :

Hey Gang - It's Huston's NON PRODUCTIVE Happy Hens here - I have some SLW's that were born on 2/4 that are still not laying...can't find reliable info on WHEN they should begin....input from anyone with experience would be appreciated!

my SLW started at 20 weeks & 3 days. I was very suprised when one of my EE's started at 20 weeks and 1 day. My two Barred rock hens that I got as chicks last year haven't laid any eggs for a couple of months now. They will get in the nest box, turn around and lay in there a while and then get out and sing the egg song. But no egg! What's up with that? Now one is molting and I am sure the other one won't be far behind. Out of the 25 hens/pullets I have i get anywhere from 4 to 7 eggs a day. Only 13 are old enough to lay though.​

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Quote:
Glad to see you back Sarah!

 

[michickenwrangler]

Hey, Ann Arbor Area people

My mother and grandfather need 2-3 dozen eggs a week. My mother will pick up but she needs a steady supply. Her egg woman disappeared. She lives in Saline and works in A2

She said she's willing to drive to other towns in the area: Milan, Manchester, Willis, Tecumseh, Clinton, Britton,

Southern or western Washtenaw County and/or northern Lenawee

 

[A2SciTeach]

I'm between A2 and Brighton and work in A2 but I can't guarantee 2 - 3 dozen eggs a week. We have 12 hens, but not any real production layers like comets or rocks or leghorns. Our chickens each lay about an egg every other day, and now that they are going into molt, only a few eggs from all 12. We started with 6 chickens and thought that would keep us in eggs for the week but found out 6 aren't enough. I bet there are plenty of people around me though that didn't stop at 12 hens! I'm sure somebody will be able to help your mom and grandfather with their egg needs

 

[keyt1969]

Hey everyone!!!

Wow, haven't posted here in a few days I don't think. Haven't felt well at all!! Hopefully that's over for a while...til flu season I guess lol.

I feel like a bad chicken mama, I haven't paid much attention to my chickens! I remember feeding them a couple of times but not much else! Fortunately I've had help! I'm hoping tomorrow my chickens forgive me and remember who I am LOL.

I've seen my ducks more because they are in the house on the porch. They are growing SO fast. Like yesterday the little black one (that I swore is a male) popped up with stripes on his neck. Today he suddenly had feathers on his chest and one of his wings. Amazing how fast they change!!

Well anyway, if anyone wrote to me, I'm sorry I didn't get back to you. Migraines just knocked me on my a@@!! Like Jen. You're probably upset with me and I'm sorry!

Hope everyone had a great day!

K

Oh yeah...I'm getting TWO cayugas soon!!!