The Poultry Keeper

phil and charlotte · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Posts: 114 Location: South Somerset

I have four Black Rocks, of which only one is laying. The one layer is the most mature in terms of her comb and other facial red bits. One non-layer has about 80-90% of the layer's redness, whilst the 2 other non-layers are a long way behind - no more than 20%. All the hens should be the same age.

1. Is there a relationship between facial maturity and ability to lay?

2. Will the two most immature ever be mature enough?

debcat · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 3:41 pm Post subject:

Hi,
point of lay is just an age, when each hen starts to lay in there own time.

Reddening up is a good indicator, they will all get there. some seem to redden really slowly while others seem to go red almost overnight.
Like teenagers who all mature at different speeds.

HTH
Debs

phil and charlotte · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Posts: 114 Location: South Somerset

Thanks, Debcat, looks like I've got a couple of retards!

deanojul67 · Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 342

hi if you hold your chickens ankles in your right hand and place your left hand on the chickens breast slide your hand down the breast pretty central and you will come to a raised bone somewhere near between the legs ish when a chicken is ready to lay the gap between these bones will be a good 2 fingers a chicken that isn't laying will be less IE u wont fit any fingers between bones or maybe just one try it it works

phil and charlotte · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Posts: 114 Location: South Somerset

I think 3 out of 4 are laying, but don't know which. I'll give it a go, thanks.