male or female,why no eggs

[snakeshack]

these are the chooks I hatched on 31/07/10 from ebay eggs,they all look like hens to me so why no eggs yet? After all they are all 24 weeks now,they all seem as described but the hatch rate was low,only got 6 out of 24 eggs,these are the four survivors

[Scarlet]

They look like girls to me! Quite normal for summer hatch chicks not to start laying until the days get longer. I have maran chicks that hatched out in June and they haven't started yet. Give them a little time they are just taking it easy

[vicky]

They're nice looking birds - what are they?
I think they are waiting now for spring to kick start their systems into gear - I have some August hatched that I hope will be laying shortly...

[RichmondHens]

Two blue Orpingtons, a Welsummer and a Silkie. The Welsummer and Orps are definitely girls, can't say for sure about the Silkie. Agree with Scarlet about the time of year, give them another month, especially the Welsummer. My June hatched Welsummers have only just come into lay (last weekend).

[Glutton4...]

Mine were 24 weeks this Tuesday, and I got my first egg from them on Monday! I shouldn't think you'll have long to wait now. Try putting a fake egg/golf ball in the nest box, that may give them an idea what it's for!

[Scarlet]

Yes, sorry - I'm not sure with the silkie, the are very hard to sex. I have never kept them but I don't think they lay many eggs a year, probbaly only a few a week (100 a year) when they get going!

[RichmondHens]

Given that they are coming up 6 months I would expect the Silkie to be exhibiting some manly behaviour by now if he was a chap! So chances are it is a girl.

[jessmorris]

They are lovely, especially the slatey-blue ones.

[snakeshack]

the two orpingtons were supposedly black,not that I was concerned,I wanted the silkie as a broody to hatch some more eggs this year as i'm told they make great mums,and the incubator I borrowed has an unsuppressed wafer stat which bu&&ers up the tv all around the house and is manual turn.I think natural incubation is the way to go,time to build a broody coop on my next week off out of sight in the shed before the missus sees it!

[Suechooks]

You shouldn't have any trouble getting her broody Snakeshack! I have 3 rescued Silkies and one is currently broody for the second time since December! I'm trying to discourage her as its so early in the year. She lays about a dozen eggs then bingo.......!

[snakeshack]

thanks for that sue I m looking forward to the patter of tiny claws in the spring,possibly some burford browns and cream legbars

[frias]

Love the blue ones. My Wellsummer was about 30 weeks old before she started laying. Moulted last September and hasn't laid since. I'd like to think she will come in to lay again soon.

[Scarlet]

thanks for that sue I m looking forward to the patter of tiny claws in the spring,possibly some burford browns and cream legbars

More eggs from ebay??

[snakeshack]

possibly,nearest supplier is a 2hr drive from here ,would cost me £70 in diesel,even with a poor hatch rate due to parcel farce (a division of royal fail)it still works out cheaper by a country mile and If you go to an established supplier with good reputation the rate of success may be better especially with a broody rather than a borrowed, very old,somewhat suspect incubator

[Scarlet]

I think if you can have them delivered on a next day delivery to be signed for they have a better chance esp. if they are from a well rated supplier. I had a Christmas present last year of 24 Ebay eggs from my OH as a surprise. 21 hatched from 24 eggs.