Still no eggs :(

[Jimster]

Hi There, we've got 4 choocks. When we had them we were told they where between 6 and 12 weeks old, that was the end of August (25 weeks ago). By now the girls should be a minimum of 31 weeks old ans still no eggs.

The girls seem really happy and well, they have everything they need, full use of the garden. They are now very tame can easily be stroked and can eat out of our hands.

We check daily in there coop, and we have checked all over the garden for eggs but nothing, any ideas??

and there is no cockadodledooing so confident they are girls, (the guy that sold them to us did seam to know what he was doing).

Any ideas???

Cheers

Jimbo and Laura (two Hungry people)

[shirlthegirl43]

Are they eating enough layer's pellets?

[Jimster]

In there feeder, we only give them layers pellets (100% organic stuff), but we do give them a handfull of corn (between 4 of them) on the lawn as a treat every day. The have the roam of the garden so are pecking around all day so can eat anything thats there.

[Jimster]

This is when we first had them http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ens_21597.html

[shirlthegirl43]

Sorry, no further suggestions here. I have the same trouble with my two australorps - they just don't seem to be starting up laying and I bought them as coming back into lay after moult so a bit cheesed.

[Suechooks]

Pure breeds seem to start laying later than hybrids so guess you'll just have to be patient! Beplam will confirm this I'm sure!

[MaureenHall]

A really good indicator as to when they're coming in to lay is that their wattles and combs get bigger and go red, and they'll crouch down when you put your hand on their backs. Won't be long now though I'm sure, the days are getting longer and not quite as cold. Good luck

[lizzylemon]

Don't loose faith - you just don't know when it'll happen. Hens are sooooo contrary it's unbelievable. For instances, one of mine (farmer named it a Nera) isn't laying and she's the oldest. I think she tried a week or two back as there was a softshelled egg and a very thin shelled egg in the box but it seems to have put her off. On the otherhand, I've a little Amber Star who's wattle and comb are very small and I found her laying an egg behind the pampas grass to day!!

[lynda66]

i think bephlams were about 35 weeks when she first got eggs, they will lay when they are ready, ....... the good thing is the longer they take to start laying the longer they will live (ok not much consolation when you want eggs), but it's nearly spring and they should start any time

[Jimster]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll just keep waiting a bit longer.

3 of the birds now have 3 big deep red wottles, so they shouldn't be long, fingers crossed.

[Nicos]

let us know won't you????

[Jimster]

yes will let you know!!

Another quick question, how much layers pellets should a full sized bird eat?

[Nicos]

I asked this not long ago..looks like it varies quite a bit.

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...eat_26870.html
I have free ranging bantams which have stopped laying as they have chicks..and I've noticed how little they are eating from the feeder- they're scratching around showing the babies how to find food now.
I suppose you have to consider that layers are doing the equivalent of producing a 9lb baby every day!!!!

Apparently free rangers eat more food- burning it up I suppose gallivanting around!

[HayleyB]

They'll lay, you ask Bephlam we all thought her lot would be dog food before long but at last she got eggs - gawd knows how old they were by then

[Bephlam]

Mine were 36 weeks before they lay - now they've popped they just can't stop!!

My girls had a lovely red comb, and wattles for weeks before they layed!!!

Hang in there, it will happen...and when it does you'll be well impressed!!!