Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[Wishing4Wings]

Well I bought a dozen eggs yesterday, think perhaps the 'started pullets' I got are younger then expected? 2 NH Reds and 2 Rocks. Waiting, Pictured in my 'profile photo' are 2 of them, what do you think, perhaps last dozen to buy? I have these 4 and 3 easter eggers coming around Jun 1.

Hi Kate!

Started pullets can be as young as 14-15 weeks, depending on where you get them. I think the average point of lay is 24 weeks, so there can be a long wait for eggs. Investigating the nest boxes and squatting (if you don't have a rooster) are signs they are getting close, but the best way to tell is when the comb gets bigger and red and the face turns red.

I like your breeds! I have one of each.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Welcome Kate! I'm going to say you have a little more time based on the face of the one. Doesn't look red enough. But I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination.

W4W - I love your cochins. They are just beautiful. I tried getting some earlier from MPC but they didn't have enough to send me so I got White Marans instead. I think I'm glad because don't they go broody???? I can't handle more than a couple of broody hens and I have the 2 silkies.

The Cochins are super sweet, very friendly, and so far pretty good layers. The eggs are small, but so are the birds. Do not let the fluffiness fool you, there isn't much bird under all those feathers. I have a couple of tiny Serama that are heftier than the poofy Cochins. I see more in my future.

W4W, your birds are gorgeous!

Muchas gracias! They are my favorites!

 

[BullChick]

When I was planning on going to this swap thing tomorrow, I was supposed to have a helper today. Now my husband won't be home until about three in the morning. I have to figure this all out myself tonight. I went out to sort them twice. It hasn't gotten done yet. Getting the chickens to walk into the other room (2 coops in a shed) just because I said so isn't working out so well. IDK why.

I am afraid of waiting until it is dark. I will still have the girls running around, but then I won't be able to see who went into the other room without checking one-by-one with a flashlight. This is not gonna be easy!

As for the choosing, I am wondering how it would work to be sure that the 8 birds that are definitely going are in one room, then whatever other 4 I grab? To be honest, I am thinking that if I can determine which 2 BCM hens are the older ones, I will sell 2 Marans. I really need to get over this feeling of dread I have. I keep thinking of reasons to keep certain birds. The JG are good for brooding, and I am a Jersey girl. But I never notice them, or remember I even have them.
Anyway, I need to get this done. Wish me luck!
BTW, the reason I can't wait until my husband is home to sort is because we have to leave at 7:30.

 

[chickenlindz]

Good luck MC!!!!

 

[Scrambles55]

Ok.... I just might jinx this if I talk about it...but here goes. I think..... I think that Rumples tried to walk on her feet. When I opened the broody pen, the Bungees dashed out and Rump was close behind. Her feet do not move, but she tried to put weight on them. She has not done this in 3 weeks. I thought that I was wrong about what I saw, but then she did it again when I tossed out some mealworms. Her feet aren't working but she is trying. I am very very hopeful......

 

[Scrambles55]

I'm sure they'll get the idea. They are always up there when I go to let them out in the morning they just don't feel the urge to sleep there yet.

My little ones like to jump up on the outdoor roost. Mom cant show them how to do it, but..... someday.

 

[mortie]

Scrambles I hope she is getting better. They like roosting outside but roosting at night has not occurred to them yet. We I stalled the nest box and then boarded it up so they wouldn't be tempted to sleep in it. We will open it up in about 6 weeks when they his 14 wks

 

[Scrambles55]

 

[cheeka]

I finally remembered to take a pic of Josephine's egg... she's the Cochin EE. today's egg looks like it has purple speckles, but it's because it's got a heavy bloom coat. I lost some of the green by taking the pic late in the day, not much natural light left. it's greener than it appears, but this is a good enough shot. now to dig up a pic of Josephine... I also have one of Blu's eggs, but neglected to photograph it.

18 Eggs today, and a long afternoon of free range that was so lovely... rain tomorrow, so not likely to get out... I'll bbl!

 

[BullChick]

Well, I did it! It took several attempts before I got a system worked out.
First, I kept thinking I should change the light bulb, but thought I had enough light. Not without the doors open! So the lack of light was a challenge, but I got it worked out.
There are 10 birds in the "going" coop right now.
The Am rooster and the EE pullet (the woman JUST texted me an hour ago!) are going.
Two JG (I will be sorry, but as I keep saying. I forget they are there!)
2 LH to the Swap sponsor rep.
4 GLW (that guy never responded to my PM)

I learned that I do/did have 27 chickens. Not 26. I kept wondering what happened to my third PR. I had three of each chick when I ordered them. Where did she go? Well, she is still here!

I decided to not give the swap birds a roost (they are 2 X 4s on blocks) because it is just something to get in my way when I have to box them up at six in the morning. They have water, the sun has set, and it has cooled off enough to give them cracked corn. There is a nest box in there. They may be sleeping in there.
Tomorrow morning I need to figure out who else is going. As I sit here after my third shower for the day (one this morning, one tonight, and one right after that because I was preoccupied, and didn't rinse my hair.

) I am already thinking I need another shower after boxing the chickens up. Oh joy!
Part of me thinks that 16 hens and a rooster sounds about right.