The Poultry Keeper The Independent Forum for Poultry Keepers    FAQ   Search     Register   Log in  At what age do hens start laying          The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> Feeding and Housing Author Message Myachickenchick Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Nevedic, Morbihan Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 3:00 pm    Post subject: At what age do hens start laying I have now had my 6 delightful ladies for 8 weeks and still not an egg in sight! I have no idea of their age. When I bought them from a french market I never thought to ask their age, (I was much too excited at buying my first hens). I think they are quite young as their combs are just starting to develop and they still have "downy" feathers under their tail feathers. My French neighbour insists I need a cockerel. Must I?? Back to top kated Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1986 Location: norfolk Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 3:26 pm    Post subject: No you don't need a cockerel - your hens will lay lots of eggs without one. Your hens will be anything over about 17-18 weeks before they lay and probably closer to 25-30 weeks. First signs will be reddening of their combs, squatting when you approach (they think you are the cockerel and are inviting you to mount!) and probably more hunger than usual. Make sure they have oyster shell available too - they will often stoke up on it just before laying. Back to top Myachickenchick Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Nevedic, Morbihan Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:42 pm    Post subject: Thank you for that. I will not be going to the market this Saturday after all! Back to top Myachickenchick Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Nevedic, Morbihan Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 1:12 pm    Post subject: At last some of our hens have started laying and our very first egg was a double yoke. Back to top Sylvia Moderator Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 973 Location: Nr. Chalus, Haute Vienne Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:47 pm    Post subject: It's a lovely feeling getting your first egg, lucky you getting a double yoker. Back to top mojo Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 10868 Location: GLENAY north deux sevre FRANCE Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:45 pm    Post subject: mcc what dept are you? there is quite a lot of us chooky folk here in france......just count the flags Back to top Myachickenchick Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Nevedic, Morbihan Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:29 pm    Post subject: Nevedic, Mobihan Back to top Myachickenchick Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Nevedic, Morbihan Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:32 pm    Post subject: Thought my double yoker on day one was amazing, but when I started to prepare lunch today (scrambled eggs) and cracked one of Yesterday's eggs..... it was a triple yoke. Does anyone know what the record is? Back to top tracey061196 Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 307 Location: Nr Shepton Mallet. Somerset Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:17 am    Post subject: I have read somewhere (cant remember where thou) that the record for yolkers was 8 Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> Feeding and Housing All times are GMT + 1 Hour Page 1 of 1 Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group