i thought you looked youngerLol, I am busting to share when it does happen!
That party was some time ago, March 2012. I just recycled the photo
I will pass it on as belated
Our introduction to keeping chickens, the high's, the lows and pics of our journey.
- Thread starter Bens-Hens
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #762
OK, first things first.
22 Weeks today, still no eggs. I can see the LS's are getting bigger red features, but they are still a way off. Rosie the RIR has redder ears and wide pelvic span, but not much growth. All look about the right 'low n wide' shape.
Last weekend we relocated the rooster box. I think the fact that the box was under a tin patio made what ever sound that escaped louder. It was still quiet, no complaints but thought we could improve it some more by simply relocating it.
This achieved three things, got back some patio space, lowered the crow-i-bells and also meant the box would not be exposed to the first light ray's of the day. Not that that made a difference to the early crows, I could hear them well before the sun came up anyway, but at least the box won't start to get warm as summer rolls around.
Here it is in the new spot, with our temporary auto door opening device (which worked a treat while we were out on Saturday morning)
Here is Jewel, having a good old peck at the run garden bed. Some of the lawn is springing back, but I throw a few mixed grains in there once a week so there is always something sprouting and green.
"Arrrrrrggggghhhhh.........four foot man eating chicken!" aka Lav.
SOme goodies for the new couple of projects. On the left is an elbow, on the right is a 4m x 4m bird net.
I actually got two of those elbows and fitted them to an old plastic bin I had here, then little hoods. Nice little raised feeder that holds about 20kg's. Not sure how weather proof that bin will be though. I will keep my eye out for a suitable upgrade. So far though, it works a treat. I have layer crumbles in this one, and the grower in the pipe feeder.
Still no eggs though.
With the bird net I picked up for $8 something (oh, those elbows were $4 each too) I am thinking of making an extension for the mobile coop. Last hatch we had 12 chicks in there, and they made short work of the lawn available to them. I would like to make a flexible 'awning' that we can pull out to give the next hatch some more lawn space. We could potentially have twice that many birds in there so I think it is a good plan to think ahead and try a few layouts before we warm up the 'bator.
That's about it, hope you have had a good weekend
22 Weeks today, still no eggs. I can see the LS's are getting bigger red features, but they are still a way off. Rosie the RIR has redder ears and wide pelvic span, but not much growth. All look about the right 'low n wide' shape.
Last weekend we relocated the rooster box. I think the fact that the box was under a tin patio made what ever sound that escaped louder. It was still quiet, no complaints but thought we could improve it some more by simply relocating it.
This achieved three things, got back some patio space, lowered the crow-i-bells and also meant the box would not be exposed to the first light ray's of the day. Not that that made a difference to the early crows, I could hear them well before the sun came up anyway, but at least the box won't start to get warm as summer rolls around.
Here it is in the new spot, with our temporary auto door opening device (which worked a treat while we were out on Saturday morning)
Here is Jewel, having a good old peck at the run garden bed. Some of the lawn is springing back, but I throw a few mixed grains in there once a week so there is always something sprouting and green.
"Arrrrrrggggghhhhh.........four foot man eating chicken!" aka Lav.
SOme goodies for the new couple of projects. On the left is an elbow, on the right is a 4m x 4m bird net.
I actually got two of those elbows and fitted them to an old plastic bin I had here, then little hoods. Nice little raised feeder that holds about 20kg's. Not sure how weather proof that bin will be though. I will keep my eye out for a suitable upgrade. So far though, it works a treat. I have layer crumbles in this one, and the grower in the pipe feeder.
Still no eggs though.
With the bird net I picked up for $8 something (oh, those elbows were $4 each too) I am thinking of making an extension for the mobile coop. Last hatch we had 12 chicks in there, and they made short work of the lawn available to them. I would like to make a flexible 'awning' that we can pull out to give the next hatch some more lawn space. We could potentially have twice that many birds in there so I think it is a good plan to think ahead and try a few layouts before we warm up the 'bator.
That's about it, hope you have had a good weekend
Don't be disheartened from the lack of eggs. Generally the absolute earliest my Australorps lay is at 22 weeks. 24 to 28 is usually the norm.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #764
28WEEKS!!!!!
Arrrrrgggggghhh!
**BOOOM**
I think my head just blew apart! I had read 20-22 was normal for them. All that naked oiled up dancing for nothing.
Arrrrrgggggghhh!
**BOOOM**
I think my head just blew apart! I had read 20-22 was normal for them. All that naked oiled up dancing for nothing.
20-22 weeks for a Mediterranean breed or maybe an Isa lol.
Like I said 24 to 28 is the norm however they can go a lot longer... One of ours was 38 weeks before she layed her first egg. She layed for a year and now it has been about a year since I last got an egg from her however we do see her go to the nestbox and lay her invisible egg everyday lol. It doesn't really matter though as she is a pet and not a breeder but still quite unusual.
Other breeds like Sussex and Wyandotte you will be waiting even longer.
Like I said 24 to 28 is the norm however they can go a lot longer... One of ours was 38 weeks before she layed her first egg. She layed for a year and now it has been about a year since I last got an egg from her however we do see her go to the nestbox and lay her invisible egg everyday lol. It doesn't really matter though as she is a pet and not a breeder but still quite unusual.
Other breeds like Sussex and Wyandotte you will be waiting even longer.
- Thread starter
- #766
Yeah we were expecting to wait a while for the LS and 'dotte's, even the Arau's I think take some time to get up to speed, but was pretty sure the 'lorp's and RIR's would be laying around the 20-22 mark.
Was reading this morning about a Red Star that laid a triple yolker at 15 weeks!
Not that there is much to do about it anyway, other than keep checking. I send th kids down now, I will hear the screams when there is an egg down there lol
Was reading this morning about a Red Star that laid a triple yolker at 15 weeks!
Not that there is much to do about it anyway, other than keep checking. I send th kids down now, I will hear the screams when there is an egg down there lol
Except you got your exercise, and I am sure your wife was entertained. LOL
Quote: I do hope that Ben's wife was as entertainedas I was just thinking about him dancing naked and all oiled up!!
Scott
- Thread starter
- #769
Hahaha, she tells me off because we have low fences and she is not the best at sharing with the neighbors. lol The improvised egg song rendition seems to draw the crowds though.
Our laundry sink is starting to smell of old wet feed, I think I am going to need to make some sort of stacking rack and move the tub's outside.
Our laundry sink is starting to smell of old wet feed, I think I am going to need to make some sort of stacking rack and move the tub's outside.
Here egg, egg, egg. Here egg, egg, egg!
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