When will my Barred Rock hens lay? Hatched July 13

[GOTchickens1978]

I saw a 4H video on measuring the breastbone? Is the same thing youre talking about? should it be a particular measurement?

 

[aart]

Quote: There is also a measurement they do between F and tip of C...harder to gauge that one IMO.
The pelvic points have been pretty accurate for me.

I saw a 4H video on measuring the breastbone? Is the same thing youre talking about? should it be a particular measurement?

This is what I suggest:
It takes some practice and is not a finite measurement.
Vent Appearance:
Dry, tight, and smaller - usually not laying.
Moist, wide, and larger - usually laying.

Pelvic Points 2 bony points(pelvic bones) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.

Also.... fermented feed will not speed a bird to point of lay...tho it has many other positive attributes.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I love FF. And many claim their birds lay sooner even from the same batch as their neighbors. But I agree with aart that it does not work that way. All are individuals... even the same breed from the same batch. So if you do suddenly start getting eggs, it would be more of a coincidence IMO.

I to worried about ruining the FF and started very small. Now I do 50# batches and feed out for a week. And I have 2 of them so one ferments while I feed the other out. Never had a drop of mold and all I do is make sure to stir each batch once a day so the top is mixed down. Did get the white stuff that is yeast once, but that is OK just stir it in.

Have you been feeding layer since 18 weeks as many do? That actually could have a huge effect on your laying and birds. Including delayed development.... too much calcium for non layers and too little protein for those still growing.

So another important question is what do you feed including treats?

My girls faces become red way before laying and the shade varies all the time (even when I know they are laying) according to activity level and probably hormone fluctuations if I had to guess.

Waiting for eggs can be so hard!

But it will be here soon.

 

[GOTchickens1978]

;Ok so my girls started squatting about 2 weeks ago. I checked vents then but they were dry and tight. This week they are moist and opening. I usually let them "free range" my fenced in backyard but I've started locking them up the last couple of days. Still nothing. No practicing songs, but I did notice they've been checking out the nest boxes...ugh! the agony!

 

[aart]

;Ok so my girls started squatting about 2 weeks ago. I checked vents then but they were dry and tight. This week they are moist and opening. I usually let them "free range" my fenced in backyard but I've started locking them up the last couple of days. Still nothing. No practicing songs, but I did notice they've been checking out the nest boxes...ugh! the agony!

That is the best sign.......won't be long now.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Well, one of my BR born Feb of last year laid for maybe two months and hasn't laid again since I blocked her hidden nest.

I have to presume it's because all the cockerels I was working out of my flock and the extra integrations of broods. But that's over now, still waiting.

Your girls will be any time now. Could still be a couple weeks. Hard to tell..... but soon!

 

[GOTchickens1978]

Breaking news! We've got eggs! 2 eggs at that! Now just waiting for the other two!

 

[GOTchickens1978]

My first eggs!

 

[aart]

There ya go!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My first eggs!