Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: AndyRVTR on October 24, 2008, 20:17

Title: When DO they start laying?
Post by: AndyRVTR on October 24, 2008, 20:17

Hi everyone, can someone please tell me at what point in the season do hens start laying regularly?

Title: When DO they start laying?
Post by: richyrich7 on October 24, 2008, 20:21

How  old Andy ? but daylight length has a big impact on them, POL's hybrids will probably lay 5-6 eggs a week through the winter months getting more regular with  the 6 as the daylight lengthens In my experience.

Title: When DO they start laying?
Post by: Vember on October 24, 2008, 20:25

Hi Andy

It depends on their age really and what breed they are :?
Hybrids could start laying from approx 20 weeks and can lay throughout winter though you might not get one everyday :).
Pure breeds more like 26 ish weeks before they lay their first egg and the later you get into the year the more chance you have of waiting till next year :)

Sarah

Title: When DO they start laying?
Post by: chickenlady on October 24, 2008, 20:33

My 20 weekers have just started laying but i have a 24 week old babcock and goldline which look like they may not lay till spring? and the other 24 week old goldline has been laying for a week now????? think it also depends on the individual hen!

Title: When DO they start laying?
Post by: AndyRVTR on October 24, 2008, 20:36

Hybrids??

Title: When DO they start laying?
Post by: chickenlady on October 24, 2008, 20:40

You know! Warrens, Amberlinks, blackrocks, Chooks that are made up from 2 purebreeds to produce lots of eggies etc

Title: When DO they start laying?
Post by: Vember on October 24, 2008, 20:44

Hybrid = birds of mixed parents & grandparents which have been developed for production by selecting from the best strains. A strain is a family line which has a particularly desirable feature ie good egg layer :)


Example of a hybrid layer  - Black Rock , ISA Brown, Speckaldy


Sarah :)

Title: When DO they start laying?
Post by: chickenlady on October 24, 2008, 20:48

Exactly what I meant Vember!  :D

Title: When DO they start laying?
Post by: AndyRVTR on October 24, 2008, 21:03

I just want hens that will lay me lots of nice tasty eggs... any suggestions  :D

Title: When DO they start laying?
Post by: Vember on October 24, 2008, 21:08

Quote from: "chickenlady"

Exactly what I meant Vember!  :D

I said snap, as soon as I'd put my post up sorry hadn't seen yours - was busy typing  :lol:


Any of the hybrids mentioned will give you plenty of eggs Andy.

I can't see now but where abouts are you in the world?
Do you know of a supplier of hens locally?

Sarah :)

Title: When DO they start laying?
Post by: AndyRVTR on October 24, 2008, 21:17

I can't see now but where abouts are you in the world?
Do you know of a supplier of hens locally?

Hi Sarah.. I'm oop north in Jarrow and to be honest, i dont know of any local suppliers yet, someone at work mentioned going to a place called Haswell Market in Co. Durham, but not sure if thats the route I want to take.

Title: When DO they start laying?
Post by: Vember on October 24, 2008, 21:37

Have you had a look through the information pages Andy? They will give you an idea of what to look out for :)

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=19629

Sarah :)

Title: When DO they start laying?
Post by: AndyRVTR on October 24, 2008, 21:41

Quote from: "Vember"

Have you had a look through the information pages Andy? They will give you an idea of what to look out for :)

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=19629

Sarah :)

Of course I did Sarah... what do you take me for...  :oops:

Title: When DO they start laying?
Post by: Vember on October 24, 2008, 21:49

You wont go far wrong then  :D
I've had a quick look for hen's in your area and drew a blank I'm afraid, but I will keep looking :)

Sarah :)

Title: When DO they start laying?
Post by: AndyRVTR on October 24, 2008, 21:54

Thanks Sarah... I really appreciate the help x  :oops:

Title: When DO they start laying?
Post by: Vember on October 24, 2008, 22:07

That's what we're here for, so long as we get photo's when you get the hens we're happy :D


Sarah :)