Riley, my BR/blue Ameraucana cross pullet, is going to be 17 weeks old this Saturday. Her coop-mate, my Delaware pullet, Gracie, is almost 15 weeks. Since Riley is so close to laying age, I told my DH this morning that I want them to spend their first night in the main coop with Dutch and the flock. They have freeranged with them for awhile now, so the adults are used to seeing them already, but haven't experienced roost time with the gang yet. I want Riley to lay her first egg in the main coop where she will be staying with Gracie until it's time for Gracie to go to the Delaware coop with Isaac, then they'll both go over (Riley's egg will be easy to tell apart from the Dels and Gracie will do better with a pal). Today, we are in the coop when Riley expresses an interest in a nest. She goes in and just stands a moment, trying it on for size, then she begins pulling straw around her. She works for about 15 minutes, while we watch, making her a nice bowl-shaped area and then she finally sits on the plastic egg! She is talking quietly to herself and looking quite comfy. When I reach in to give her a pat on the head, she pecked me! She's never in her life pecked us before. Gracie is highly miffed at her friend. She took one look at Riley in the nest, then went and climbed up the big roost and settled down to pout till her friend came to her senses, LOL. Dare I think she may be an early layer? Im not expecting it, but suppose anything is possible. Fern, her full BR half sister, is 21 weeks and has shown little interest in a nest yet. When I left, Riley was still sitting in the nest. Here's Riley:
I bet she does. Cynthia did lay an egg at the same age and she is the same BA/BR cross. She is so pretty.
Its altogether possible. All the chicks I got from you in March are laying and layed fairly early for orps and Br. Your chcks are very healthy and seem to lay a bit early. gloria Jean
Would you believe that we found a smallish blue egg underneath the main roost this morning? Gave me pause, but I realized that it must be one of the molting Ameraucanas coming back into lay since Riley and Gracie were on a long bar off to the side of the big roost all night. They survived their first night with the big girls!
Stardust, my barred rock bantam began laying at 16 weeks to the day!! Do BRs usually lay so young? She layed well for a few weeks and then stopped. Not sure what's up there? Speckled, your Riley is sooooooooooo beautifull!! You should have many good things from her!
That is quite early for a BR to lay! Not sure why she stopped except that the days are getting shorter now. I got 2, count 'em, TWO, eggs from my 28 in the laying flock yesterday.
