The Poultry Keeper

pete.a · Joined: 24 Dec 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Chepstow

Started with 2 Marans and 2 Speckled Sussex on the 9t of July. All were meant to be 16 weeks old at the time. As of yet no eggs. Is this normal ?

Pete

NannyP · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 4:55 pm Post subject:

Hi Pete a, and welcome to the forum. Yes, it's normal, point of lay can mean anything from 18-30 weeks, and at this time of year the amount of daylight hours are so short, this will also affect laying.
Give them another 8 weeks and you'll have eggs coming out of your ears Very Happy

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

ALEX-MOVIE-MAN · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 751 Location: Hampshire

You mean like this NannyP & George?

jaydee67 · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 6:39 pm Post subject:

I blame the parents! Wink

At least there isn't a chicken on his head!

NannyP · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 8:46 pm Post subject:

My goodness, does he know the number for Childline Shocked

andym01480 · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 132 Location: King's Lynn

Bizarrely though all three of my hens, now around 28 weeks old, have started laying! Two of them started over Christmas while my neighbour was looking after them. The other had been laying a while!

Scrambled eggs all round! At least now we don't have to cut the one fried egg into 5 to all get a taste.

Be patient! It is so worth it!!!

CP · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 1:48 am Post subject:

They will lay in their own sweet time - usually just when you have given up all hope! Surprised

When they finally do, it's such a thrill. And the feeling is still the same 5 years down the line. Wink

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

I threatened my four 24-week Black Rocks with a packet of Paxo stuffing and they started to lay within 24 hours. Can you give yours some extra light? My coop (luckily close to an electricity supply) is lit a.m. and p.m. to give them 14 hours of light.

pete.a · Joined: 24 Dec 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Chepstow

Thanks for the support and info but I make them about 41 weeks old now. Is this a record ?

Fangs · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 9:56 pm Post subject:

it may be due to the cold snao we've been havnig recently. plus there isnt much light around now adays. ive had pekin hens who havent laid until they were over a year. i wouldnt worry. they are bound to come into lay when warmer weather comes, and also more light

Fangs

nigel · Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 7:34 am Post subject:

I agree with Fangs, I'd guess the dark days put a stop to any chance of laying. With days getting longer now I'd guess they come into lay. Traditionally they say that pure breeds don't lay between bonfire night and valentines day. I know my dorking stopped laying about the end of October and hasn't started again yet.

CP · Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:20 am Post subject:

They do keep you guessing when they will start laying, don't they? Confused

There are exceptions to every rule though. We have 4 laying at the moment - Welsummer, Old Cotswold Legbar, Wyandotte & a Japanese bantam! They are all 2005 babies. Shocked

They do have extra lighting but it only amounts to about 2 extra hours a day, so maybe that helps a little.

Be patient, they will do it eventually! Very Happy

pete.a · Joined: 24 Dec 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Chepstow

Again

Thanks to everyone for the info . I will be patient and await the first arrival in the not to distant future.
I must say they are looking well, whilst becoming quite tame and seem to enjoy their days pecking around in the orchard.

Now for the next question !!!!!!!!

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

what's that..........what shall I get next???