New chickens..

[cath]

lol talk about being put on the spot!! lol but i'll rise,, nice hen .. the colour of the crest is bright red so i'd say she'll lay very soon .plus its quite big[ the crest]..is it a wellsummer.. very nice....ps.. when she does lay you'll hear her cacklin like shes shoutn.. hey look what i just did!!!!!!!let me know

[dr.gonzo]

Thanks Cath. I will keep you updated on the egg situation...


thanks again.

[longfordchook]

Thanks Cath.

Can you tell how old this one is?

not to far from laying the combe turns redder from pink when they are coming into lay
i would say by the colour of her combe she has not to long to go

[ammcg]

If you can find an artificial egg - or even a golf ball or something - to put in the nest box, to give them the idea that that's where to lay the eggs, it's a good idea too. Otherwise, you might keep an eye under the shrubs and bushes!

[dr.gonzo]

okay thanks for all the replies. I'll keep an eye out around the garden and also pop a golf ball into the coop.

On another matter, I noticed that the larger of the two hens looks like she's going bald on the back of her head, any ideas what might be causing this?

[dr.gonzo]

Nothing added but time...




Thanks.

[cath]

hey congrats.. isnt it the best feeling.lol.. nobody but us fellow mad people could understand the joy from gettin your first eggs..to others eggs are eggs but ahhhhhhhh you see your our eggs are special cause we've near laid them ourselves with love andattention and loads of food.. its not just an egg!!!!!!!

[ammcg]

Hurray! Well done that hen!

[MARIA]

Congrats on getting your first egg. Its amazing the difference between a shop bought egg and your own free range hen eggs. I couldnt believe how orange the yoke is. The only problem is its either a feast or a famine with my lot. In the spring and early summer i was bring eggs to family friends anyone that would take them and now i am lucky if theres two a day. Enjoy the eggs and it looks like you have a great set up there.
Maria.

[Clovis&co]

Congrats! It's so exciting & this hobby is going to bring you much joy, I keep telling people that! No matter how long I've had hens for; the first time a new hen lays it's always a really big deal for the whole family & I'm sure the hen loves the attention! I hope you can keep up with your supplies though, I'm now getting 8 to 10 Maran eggs a day & often have to bring LOADS to work & dish them out to the lads so that I can get rid of them! Or I have to go on a baking frenzy to use up egg supplies. Or make the kiddies scrambled eggs like there's no tomorrow! Were I more industrious I'd figure out a way to sell them as they're super eggs but I'm told shops can't sell our eggs ~ is this right? Either way, I reckon every house should have a hen! Enjoy!!!