Peahen laying at 1 year?

[jessica117]

One of my peahens that just turned a year old in May layed her first egg yesterday. I know it didn't come from any of my chickens because there is NO way they could have gotten into the peafowl coop (not to mention none of my chickens lay eggs that big

) I know it had to be her because my only other peahen is about 2 months younger (the same age as my peacock.) She didn't lay one today, so was it just a fluke or what. I set up a nesting box for her yesterday and she has been in it and made it into a cute little nest.

I had always heard that they didn't start laying till about 2 years. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Also, is there any way it could be fertile? The peacock hasn't started "strutting his stuff" yet so I'm guessing not.

She also just started "hollering" within the last couple weeks.

There is no doubt how old she is because I got her as a chick.

Thanks,
Jess

 

[Kev]

2 year old is just the average, there will always be exceptions. Most do lay their first eggs at 2 but some start at one, yet others don't start til 3. I even had one hen that as far as I know did not lay until she was 4.. and only two eggs that year.. She did lay "normal" when she was 6 and older though.

She has the potential to be fertile, if there is a male mature enough to have viable sperm in him and he is also breeding her. If the male has any eyes or a lot of solid green streaking in the tail, he's potentially fertile.. best not to assume, until the eggs prove fertile.

 

[DuckyBoys]

Put it in the bator and see!

I'd love to see some pics of your peafowl.

 

[duckman]

From what i have heard (and has happend with my peacocks) is that they will lay eggs at one year but they wont be fertile


Duckman

 

[Kev]

I have had one year olds lay fertile eggs, and have heard from people who got fertile eggs from pens with all one year olds, so some one year old boys can be fertile.

I'm thinking that since she lays an egg, she IS "fertile".. the problem being an male who will try to breed with her.. either a yioung male who happens to be fertile or an adult male who will breed her. I have noticed that some adult males are hostile or ignore year old females.. probably what accounts for the "infertility" in some cases at least- no male is breeding her. Perhaps the young girls are refusing or don't know to squat down for breeding and so they just don't get bred.

 

[jessica117]

Thanks for all the responses. I am in the process of collecting eggs over the next couple days to stick under one of my broodies. I'll stick in in with them and close to the chick hatch I'll transfer it to the bator (I'm still a bator novice so I'll leave most of the hard work to the hen.) She hasn't layed an egg since that first one but I'll give this one a shot.

Thanks again!

 

[Kev]

Good luck and keep us updated. I want to see how common(or uncommon) fertile eggs from yearlings are..