[sue anne]

I have 15 hybrid hens, 1 lavender araucana, and 3 exchequer leghorns.  My hybrids lay every day.  My lavender araucana lays most days.  My leghorns didn't lay over winter but started laying every day about March time.  I have now had 5 days without any of the white eggs from the leghorns.  Do pure breeds vary with their laying or, as they free range, am I to search around the garden for somewhere else they may be laying.  We do have quite a lot of trees and bushes so they could be laying anywhere I suppose.  I have not kept pure breeds before and I am unfamiliar with their laying ways.

sue anne

[Helenaj]

I have 3 Leghorns and they are usually reliable layers, but with the recent heat they have been a little erratic. Check around in case they are laying elsewhere - they can get into the most awkward of places! Other than that, as long as they look bright and healthy I wouldn't worry about it and put it down to the weather.

[joyfull]

Look around sue anne the chances are they are hiding them somewhere ready to go broody on 

[sue anne]

Thanks for your replies.  I had wondered if it was the recent hot weather.  They certainly look well and are acting normally, they are lovely and comical to watch.  Will have a look round anyway just in case.

sue anne

[joyfull]

I discovered one of my lavs sat on a big pile of blue eggs in the middle of some nettles, she knew I was watching her and went a long way around my garden to throw me off the scent 

[evie2]

Also look in the most ridiculous, awkward places, they're very good at hiding eggs

[sue anne]

Thanks for your replies.  I will have a good look round tomorrow and let you know if I find any.  It just seems odd that all 3 are not laying.  I suppose they could all be laying in different places or they have got a big joint hoard stashed away somewhere.

sue anne

[GrannieAnnie]

No good asking me, I sold all my exchequers!!   

I hope you find your eggs Sue Anne!!!

[sue anne]

[[img]tr]Insert Quote
No good asking me, I sold all my exchequers!!   laugh laugh laugh

I hope you find your eggs Sue Anne!!!

 

 

sue anne

[Casey76]

Hi Sue Anne, you might find that your pure breeds lay quite regularly for 9 or 10 eggs, then take a little break, then lay another 9 or 10 eggs.

Though leghorns are usually noted for their prolific laying, it is mainly the white and brown leghorns as they are the most popular colours and have been concentrated on more by breeders

[joyfull]

Sue Anne has exchequer leghorns 

[sue anne]

I have tried watching my leghorns this morning to see if they make their way to any particular spot but they are just pottering around quite haphazardly.  Will walk round this afternoon and search for eggs.  Interesting if they do go off lay for a while and then start up again.  I hope that is the case really.  We have had a fox round here this morning.  My dog went shooting out of the house about 7.30ish barking like mad and then we saw a fox with a rabbit in his/her mouth.  I was just going to let the hens out and it has made me a bit paranoid and have to keep going to have a look to see if they are ok.  I have got some windows open so I can hear if the hens get a bit agitated.

sue anne

[sue anne]

I looked all over yesterday and couldn't find any eggs. Had asked my son to come over this weekend and climb up my banks for me to see if they had laid up there but around 11.30am I went to collect eggs and found two white eggs in there so it looks as if Casey76 was right and they lay for so many days and then stop and after about 9 days they start again.  I am so pleased as I didn't want them to go broody.
Thank you all for your advice
sue anne