My Barred Rock has suddenly become friendly!

[chattykathy306]

Yeah. Thanks. I was feeling that congrats were in order! I almost feel like I gave birth! Should head out for a box of cigars!

 

[Crafty-Duck]

How old is your Barred Rock if you know? I have 3 Barred Rocks I'm waiting on.

 

[ronott1]

Yippee! Magda laid an egg! When Larry came home from work and put the nesting box in, he found it. It's small, but so perfect! So, I expect we will be getting more. Wonder when the other girls will be ready. Should I save it and add to it, so we have enough to scramble and share? Are these first eggs normal and OK to eat, other than being small? I can't believe I could get so excited about such a thing! Yeah, I guess I can ; I have always been impressed with the marvels of God's creation!!

First eggs are so fun!

Yes give them all layer feed. Most layer brands have instructions that say to start giving them layer at around 16 weeks. The calcium in it will not hurt them. It's the little chicks that are really hurt by too much calcium.

Give them free choice calcium too.

Barred Rocks are winter layers so they will lay in the winter without supplemental light. The first egg usually takes several weeks or so longer during the low light of winter. The others will start laying within a two to three week time period.

First eggs are so exciting!

 

[chattykathy306]

My others are not Barred Rocks. I have been using supplemental light. Do you think they will start laying soon as well, or will I have to wait until spring for those slackers?!
Going on a date with hubby. Will check mail when I get home.

 

[ronott1]

My others are not Barred Rocks. I have been using supplemental light. Do you think they will start laying soon as well, or will I have to wait until spring for those slackers?!
Going on a date with hubby. Will check mail when I get home.

If you are giving them 12 plus hours of light a day, they will lay too!

Look up the breed and the average Point of Lay and add a couple of weeks to it. For example, Austaralorps usually lay at 25 weeks, so add two to get 27 weeks. Of course those are averages so it could take longer.

I hope you had fun on the date!

 

[Gomes Bantams]

Congrats!!!