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Myachickenchick
Joined: 26 Apr 2008
Posts: 21
Location: Nevedic, Morbihan
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 Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 3:00 pm Post subject: At what age do hens start laying |
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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?? |
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kated
Joined: 01 Nov 2006
Posts: 1846
Location: norfolk
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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| 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. |
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Myachickenchick
Joined: 26 Apr 2008
Posts: 21
Location: Nevedic, Morbihan
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Thank you for that. I will not be going to the market this Saturday after all! |
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Myachickenchick
Joined: 26 Apr 2008
Posts: 21
Location: Nevedic, Morbihan
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| Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 1:12 pm Post subject: |
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At last some of our hens have started laying and our very first egg was a double yoke.  |
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Sylvia
Joined: 06 Oct 2006
Posts: 604
Location: Nr. Chalus, Haute Vienne
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| Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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| It's a lovely feeling getting your first egg, lucky you getting a double yoker. |
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mojo
Joined: 13 Apr 2005
Posts: 10495
Location: GLENAY north deux sevre FRANCE
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| Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:45 pm Post subject: |
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| mcc what dept are you? there is quite a lot of us chooky folk here in france......just count the flags |
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Myachickenchick
Joined: 26 Apr 2008
Posts: 21
Location: Nevedic, Morbihan
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Nevedic, Mobihan |
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Myachickenchick
Joined: 26 Apr 2008
Posts: 21
Location: Nevedic, Morbihan
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:32 pm Post subject: |
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| 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? |
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tracey061196
Joined: 08 Feb 2008
Posts: 297
Location: Nr Shepton Mallet. Somerset
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:17 am Post subject: |
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I have read somewhere (cant remember where thou) that the record for yolkers was 8  |
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