My three hens are about 9-10 months old. The woman I got them from said they laid " a green egg and a light brown egg" last year. So Friday I go out and we have two olive green eggs. So exciting! Saturday we get another green, and sunday a pretty light brown. Monday, both a green and a light brown, and today just a light brown. Do you think all three hens are laying? The two larger hens "squat" when pet, the smaller one is just skittish. It would be pretty unusual to have one hen lay two green eggs in one day though right (the first day)? So how do you make sure your hens are laying consistently and that there is nothing wrong with a particular hen? I imagine with a large flock it's even harder to tell who is laying, and who might be having "issues"? Good new is they are finally laying in their box instead of the mud. A wooden egg, combined with the smart "light brown" layer, seems to have convinced them that it's the appropriate location.
Far as I know, they normally can lay just one egg per every25 hours so it does sound as though all 3 are working girls! And lucky you that they like your place so much that they went right to work for you. I have read that some people get new hens home and they promptly quit working! For some breeds 'consistantly' could be as little as 2 eggs per week so not to worry about days that you only find one egg. It seems to be more rare to find a day when they are batting 1000, it just isn't that common unless they are considered 'commercial layers'. I worry the most about my girl who lays a jumbo, deep brown egg daily, I am afraid she is going to give herself an aneurism as often and as large as she produces. I just don't know 'chicken' for 'take the day OFF already!'
Cool! I'm just a worry wort. Apparently they stopped laying bavk in October, and I was so anxiouse for them to start when I got them a couple weeks ago. We are in a relativly mild climate, lots of rain, no snow, but they aren't given any artifical light. Good girls.
