[mickwood]

OK, now I'm not too sure about this but someone, possibly someone on this forum!?, suggested that in order to encourage laying, a golf ball in the nest box may work. I don't understand that as I would have just thought it encouraged broodiness?

Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Obviously...patience is needed, but they had sold out of that at the suppliers!  

[Kate and her Ducks]

Not sure but I thought that this was to give them an idea of where they are meant to be laying rather than actually encouraging to get them to lay. Happy to be corrected.
Don't think you can really fool a chickens ovaries and complete hormonal axis with a golf ball! Think you will just have to be patient for a while longer. I have been without an egg for 10 days now and getting withdrawal symptoms :cry:

[Vember]

Loads of eggies in the nest box will encourage broodyness, although it does tend to just happen :roll:

The Golf ball is a way of showing them where you want them to lay like Kate said:D

[mickwood]

Ah! YES! that was it, it's about teaching them the location isn't it! THANKS!

Yeah, patence...never very good at that!  

[Vember]

Not on your own there Mick

 

[poultrygeist]

I think you need to start buying them flowers and chocolates Mick.  :roll:

What breed are they ?
I think there are differences in the actual POL for different breeds. Beyond that can't really help. As said, they will when they will.

Rob

[mickwood]

Not really got prolific layers rob, just got a silkie and a pekin at the minute, the pekin is about 22 weeks old? Silkie about 19/20?

Perhaps I should stop sitting in the nest box....waiting....and waiting......and waiting......

maybe it puts them off?  

[blulagoo]

Why not get in there and show them what to do! I think your breeds may not lay until about 26 weeks? not sure but I bet Babe and Foxy know!

[mickwood]

Yeah, I think they won't be laying for a few weeks yet....i just WANT them to....NOW!!  

[blulagoo]

It is worth the wait - if it is any consolation two of my four girls are still not laying - buy i know they will soon.

[Kate and her Ducks]

Really don't think you will want to hear this but one of mine didn't start laying until about 10 months old :?

[blulagoo]

Well 2 eggs a day and i'm happy. A mate took 4 off of me today for his broody to sit on - am curious to see what they come out like.

[Oliveview]

I was desperate for my hens to start laying and one day there was an egg in the nesting box..... such excitement, until I picked the egg up, it was really cold, my sister got fed up with me walking abck and forth to see if there was an egg and took one from the fridge  
Pamela

[Kate and her Ducks]

Yes, I'm looking forward to next spring when I can dust off the incy again. I now have a mish mash of ducks so be fun to see what comes out (although with the black drake I might just get black ones).

[blulagoo]

But Kate - baby ducks is baby ducks! I want some but we just don't have the room - OH keeps on about trying to buy the field at back with a neighbour but I don't think they will be interested in selling it (big landowners who rent it out to others so they can claim EU grants).