will my "late bloomer" ever bloom?

[fiddlechicken]

Hi, Mdelhomme!

I have an easter egger that isn't laying yet, either. Pea comb on Olive is much smaller than your Ruby, but other than that, they look fairly similar... Olive is the only one not laying. No signs of being a "he", either. Maybe it's the waning light- I don't know if it matters as much where you are, Mdel, but here in the PNW, the light difference between summer and winter is quite marked.
I have read that some chickens never reach maturity in their first year, if they hit autumn just right, and now I am worried Olive won't lay til next year- no squatting, or any other signs that she is close, although her pelvic bones seem to have spread a bit since I last checked. Have you heard of the pelvic bone test? Here's the jist: Below the cloaca are the chicken's pelvic bones. Until they reach the point of about pueberty, the pelvic bones are touching, but begin to spead apart, right around the time of squatting. I had read here in this site that when you can (gently) fit about the width of 2-3 fingers between the bones (again, very gently, and not pressing hard at all- it's just a measurement) your gal should be about ready.

I tried it with my gals, and it all helped me relax a bit, as I knew they were close. Of course, I just tried this with Olive, and her pelvic bones haven't moved that far apart, so I don't think she's just hiding her eggs out in the yard someplace.

Anyway, hope this helps some. I am tired, so probably didn't explain the "pelvic palp" very well, but there are lots of folks on here who talk about it. I am very curious to hear what you find out!

Meanwhile, go get 'em, Ruby! (Ah, man, that Hagrid reference cracked me up, too!)

 

[mdelhomme]

HI!

Ruby has been squatting for weeks but still no eggs. The cashier at the feed store suggested I up their calcium intake. I had them on chick crumbles but finally finished the bag, so was buying egg layer formula. She said that should do it. It's been about 5 days, so we'll see.
We're in Spokane, funny that you're in Portland. We've just started turning on the heat lamp in the coop, I'm thinking of switching the red light for a white to increase the "daylight" hours, but have heard that that also may increase picking.
I'll try the pelvic palp soon. Just sat down, the hubby is watching football and I'm in a sunny chair, so not sure I'll move for a while >zzzzz<

 

[boskelli1571]

HI!

Ruby has been squatting for weeks but still no eggs. The cashier at the feed store suggested I up their calcium intake. I had them on chick crumbles but finally finished the bag, so was buying egg layer formula. She said that should do it. It's been about 5 days, so we'll see.
We're in Spokane, funny that you're in Portland. We've just started turning on the heat lamp in the coop, I'm thinking of switching the red light for a white to increase the "daylight" hours, but have heard that that also may increase picking.
I'll try the pelvic palp soon. Just sat down, the hubby is watching football and I'm in a sunny chair, so not sure I'll move for a while >zzzzz<

Red lighting will decrease any potential picking...good luck with Ruby!!

 

[hausfrau77]

2 of our 5 girls havent started either, glad its not uncommon. You're not alone.... I will wait with you while my 2 white cochin also just hang about being poop machines.....

 

[mdelhomme]

Oh good, it's always better to wait together. I hope Ruby ups her game. I don't know if there are chickens who just never lay an egg.
I tried the pelvic palp thing with her and her pelvic bones seem to be as far apart as the other girls. Hmm.

On a side note, we suffered a case of "SCDS" or sudden chicken death syndrome last week. Pearl, our egg laying EE, died in the night, no sign of trauma or anything. We are sad, she was a very sweet chicken. Now we have to chickens producing and one huge slacker.

 

[boskelli1571]

Oh good, it's always better to wait together. I hope Ruby ups her game. I don't know if there are chickens who just never lay an egg.

At least you can use the poop on the gardens............

 

[cicknmama]

Sorry about your Pearl Im waiting on my two EE to get with the program too! They are 21 weeks old. I do have a question though, when they start squatting, is it just random or do they squat when you pet them only. My EE are so sweet that they beg to be held, not sure if

Oh good, it's always better to wait together.  I hope Ruby ups her game.  I don't know if there are chickens who just never lay an egg.
I tried the pelvic palp thing with her and her pelvic bones seem to be as far apart as the other girls. Hmm.

On a side note, we suffered a case of "SCDS" or sudden chicken death syndrome last week.  Pearl, our egg laying EE, died in the night, no sign of trauma or anything.  We are sad, she was a very sweet chicken.  Now we have to chickens producing and one huge slacker.

that squatting is getting ready or just learned behavior from my other hens.

 

[mdelhomme]

I think the squatting behavior starts when you reach to pet them. It's like they're bracing for a rooster, poor things. My chicks mostly don't squat anymore. I think they realize Im just picking them up for cuddles. Ruby is the only one who squats. Just for funzies, here's a picture of Laura this morning, holding a tissue. Such a delicate flower she is.

 

[TheBeardie]

My EE isn't laying yet but my red star is. How old is you girl? Mine is 8 months.
Since your hens are laying if it was a rooster you should be able here him crowing at any hour morning day or night. He would also try to mount the hens and have spers coming in. But some hens will do all the things listed above. (The crowing in hens is from a rooster being removed, some hens have certain hormones that make them grow spers and hens mounting each other is the top hen telling the Others who's boss, all thats listed can have different reasons why it is happening )
This is my EE. I'm also waiting for her pretty eggs. all you can do is wait.

This is when she was 7 months old

 

[mdelhomme]

We got our chicks in early March, that makes them a bit over 8 months now. Still no eggs from Ruby…..sigh