When did your hens start laying?

[SavyNic]

This post is just for fun since we're starting to get excited about our girls growing big! We have a Barred Rock, 2 Easter Eggers, 2 Silkies, a Cream Brabanter, a Welsummer, and a Barnevelder. If you had any of these breeds, when did yours lay its first egg? I did a little research and expect my barred to be first, but I just wanted to hear from y'all! Plus pics for cuteness & EE cuddles

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I usually get chicks mid March to mid April and they usually start laying early August at fair

 

[MPJ]

I too am in your same boat anxiously awaiting my first egg! My girls were born Feb 2. I have 2 leghorns 1 Australorp, 1 buff orpington, 1 ameraucana and 1 easter egger. All are squatting for me except my orpington so I am hoping any day now

 

[SavyNic]

I too am in your same boat anxiously awaiting my first egg! My girls were born Feb 2. I have 2 leghorns 1 Australorp, 1 buff orpington, 1 ameraucana and 1 easter egger. All are squatting for me except my orpington so I am hoping any day now

Ours were born Feb 21st! I'm a newbie to chickens, so what exactly are you looking for when you see them squat? I guess what I mean is how does it differ from just laying down to relax?

 

[Doc7]

17-23 weeks

my barred rock was my first one ever to lay, she was a June 8 baby who laid first egg around November 25

 

[Doc7]

Ours were born Feb 21st! I'm a newbie to chickens, so what exactly are you looking for when you see them squat? I guess what I mean is how does it differ from just laying down to relax?

You can’t miss it when you see it. It’s how you pick up your hens free ranging , they run from you till you get close and suddenly they stop and squat right down. It is submissive like a puppy cowering. You won’t be confused by it when you see it.

 

[SavyNic]

You can’t miss it when you see it. It’s how you pick up your hens free ranging , they run from you till you get close and suddenly they stop and squat right down. It is submissive like a puppy cowering. You won’t be confused by it when you see it.

Okay, so just more subdued behavior? Do they typically like to find a more secluded spot when they do this, or is it just wherever they are?

 

[Doc7]

Okay, so just more subdued behavior? Do they typically like to find a more secluded spot when they do this, or is it just wherever they are?

They don’t just do it. They do it when approached by a dominant male rooster or a human. It is a very subordinate act. When you get close (within 2-3 feet) they squat, when you stand back up or step back they immediately resume scratch and peck behavior.

here is a video of a person using the arm in proximity to chicken to make them do it:

 

[SavyNic]

They don’t just do it. They do it when approached by a dominant male rooster or a human. It is a very subordinate act. When you get close (within 2-3 feet) they squat, when you stand back up or step back they immediately resume scratch and peck behavior.

here is a video of a person using the arm in proximity to chicken to make them do it:

wow that is really interesting! You're right, it would be unmistakable. Thank you so much for the info!