Since this is the first time for us raising chickens, I've searched and searched for information on when to expect our first eggs. Well, we have started getting eggs and I thought I would share what we observed for those who are curious.
Our girls are now 18 weeks. We have 2 Black Australorps, 2 RIR, and 2 Barred Plymouth Rock. According to my research all have different maturity ages.
At about 14 weeks the BA both started getting red combs and waddles. One was a few days earlier than the other. The RIRs followed at about 16 weeks. Our BPR are almost there at 18 weeks. What we assume is the "hen song" has been coming from all of the girls for at least 2-3 weeks. The one that sings the MOST and squats the MOST is not laying.
We put artificial eggs in their nesting boxes at around 16 weeks hoping they would get the hint to lay there.
At 17 weeks one day (three weeks after getting her red comb and waddle) our smallest BA laid her first egg. She has laid for 6 straight days. We are getting small, light brown eggs every afternoon or early evening. We have never seen her squat and she seldoms "sings". All have had nice strong shells. They are on grower feed with free access to oyster shells (which I don't think they eat). We will switch to layer feed when we run out our of already purchased feed.
Six days after she started laying a RIR joined her. I only know that it was a RIR because I saw her go into the box and checked as she left. She also laid her egg in the afternoon though in a different box - this was just yesterday. I've seen several of them go in and out of the nesting boxes. Some, sitting for a while but producing no eggs yet.
It has been very hot here and we are running the sprinklers near them and putting ice in their water every day trying to keep them a little cool. They have access to shade all day. They free range in the evenings between about 5 - 9 pm.
We think our louder, BA squatter will join the others soon. We also think our other RIR is about to lay but we'll see. I'm not expecting eggs from the BPR girls for another month or so. They are the biggest of the girls but were much later in getting red combs and waddles. We cannot check their pelvic bones as there is no way in heck any of them would let us pick them up.
That is our experience thus far. It is so fun to finally be getting eggs and the wait does seem like it takes forever. Good luck to those of you still waiting.
Our girls are now 18 weeks. We have 2 Black Australorps, 2 RIR, and 2 Barred Plymouth Rock. According to my research all have different maturity ages.
At about 14 weeks the BA both started getting red combs and waddles. One was a few days earlier than the other. The RIRs followed at about 16 weeks. Our BPR are almost there at 18 weeks. What we assume is the "hen song" has been coming from all of the girls for at least 2-3 weeks. The one that sings the MOST and squats the MOST is not laying.
We put artificial eggs in their nesting boxes at around 16 weeks hoping they would get the hint to lay there.
At 17 weeks one day (three weeks after getting her red comb and waddle) our smallest BA laid her first egg. She has laid for 6 straight days. We are getting small, light brown eggs every afternoon or early evening. We have never seen her squat and she seldoms "sings". All have had nice strong shells. They are on grower feed with free access to oyster shells (which I don't think they eat). We will switch to layer feed when we run out our of already purchased feed.
Six days after she started laying a RIR joined her. I only know that it was a RIR because I saw her go into the box and checked as she left. She also laid her egg in the afternoon though in a different box - this was just yesterday. I've seen several of them go in and out of the nesting boxes. Some, sitting for a while but producing no eggs yet.
It has been very hot here and we are running the sprinklers near them and putting ice in their water every day trying to keep them a little cool. They have access to shade all day. They free range in the evenings between about 5 - 9 pm.
We think our louder, BA squatter will join the others soon. We also think our other RIR is about to lay but we'll see. I'm not expecting eggs from the BPR girls for another month or so. They are the biggest of the girls but were much later in getting red combs and waddles. We cannot check their pelvic bones as there is no way in heck any of them would let us pick them up.
That is our experience thus far. It is so fun to finally be getting eggs and the wait does seem like it takes forever. Good luck to those of you still waiting.
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