Yikes lots to learn asap

[chilali67]

My name is Vicki. I live in western Michigan. I helped my step daughter care for her chicken while visiting last winter in Chandler Arizona. She had about 25 of all breeds, I loved it. I returned to Michigan but it took me a year to decide that I could make the commitment and get six chicks. That was February 20th this year. They are almost 23 weeks old, and only my two white Leghorns are laying eggs. I also have two Rhode island Reds, and Two Plymouth Rocks. The other day, I found an egg with no shell in the coop by their nests, not in one of them. So I knew another hen was getting ready. I think it is one of the Plymouth Rocks because of her squatting for a week now, and for the last two days,she goes into a nest and rustles around and then leaves to hang out with the other 5 hens. She is my dominant hen. ( has been since I first brought them all home). The Leghorns were so much more prepared and didnt dilly dally around for a week or so. I have tried the brown egg in the nest. I have tried without it. Probably she will be ready in a couple of weeks. (24 or 25) I have read. The Rhode Island Reds are only interested in pecking my feet and legs. {I now have high back rubber boots). One chases me around for another peck if I step back real quick. I am so anxious to see a brown egg in one of the nests. (a real one). And I am having such a great time caring for them. This has been one of my better commitments.

Is it normal for a hen to skip a day after she has been laying for a for a couple of weeks?

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC

It's perfectly normal for a pullet new to laying to be a bit hit and miss. It can take a while before they get their plumbing sorted out.

You'll find lots of info in the Learning Centre - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/learning-center.11/ and if you have a specific topic in mind, just type it in the search box - there's a wealth of information on past and present threads.

Each week, various topics are discussed, which can also be a great resource - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive

You may wish to consider joining your state thread as it will put you in touch with other BYC members in your area - http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread#post_3239224

All the best

CT

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Yes, they will need to skip a day because they lay about every 26 hours or so, so eventually they have to skip so they won't be laying an egg at midnight (though I have had one occasionally lay during the night because I find it under the roost in the morning)

 

[drumstick diva]

Some breeds are more aggressive than others and RIR's are one of them. You should be able to enjoy your birds instead of "suiting up," for protection. It may be just me but, I would suggest rehoming them and getting a breed you could enjoy having around.