when will my hens start laying.

purplebat · « **on:** February 04, 2007, 11:54 »

Just acquired 8 hens and a cockerel a week ago, I take it from what I've read that they don't lay much in the winter, when can I expect them to start laying? :?:

muntjac · « **Reply #1 on:** February 04, 2007, 12:15 »

how old are they bat . they start laying 16 onwards , you have a problem in that the cockerel will start to tread ( mate ) the hens and may cause damage so keep an eye on them . enjoy most of all tho

if they are already over the 16 weeks it may take a few days for them to settle down but dont be suprised if you have eggs in the morning

purplebat · « **Reply #2 on:** February 04, 2007, 12:51 »

I'm not sure how old they are, but I know that there was 2 eggs they day before we got them, so they are layers, I was hoping to have found another one by now, so do you think it's just the move that's upset them?

purplebat · « **Reply #3 on:** February 04, 2007, 12:53 »

one other thing, when you say about the cockerel mating with the hens, why is that a problem, cos he was doing that yesterday?

muntjac · « **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2007, 12:54 »

its not a problem if you want to increase the flock . but a cockerel can tear a hen if he hets to " amourus "

purplebat · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2007, 12:56 »

i don't want to increase the flock, or at least i don't think i do, what can i do about it? I'm feeling rather stupid at thwe moment, sorry

muntjac · « **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2007, 13:00 »

well you have to collect all the eggs to stop them setting to hatch them the hens will go broody .it doesnt matter that the cockerel has mated .im guessing you thought you needed a cock bird to keep the hens happy . if you dont want to have more chicks you can cull or give the cockerel back or give him away , be advised that some councils will stop you keeping cockerals due to noise complaints . what breed are they

muntjac · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2007, 13:01 »

if you want to know a few more things to consider you just take a look at the posts i have done on the keeping chickens no sentiment thread

purplebat · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2007, 13:03 »

the bloke i got them from said that i would get more eggs with a cockerel, I was being a bit of a wuss cos i was worried about the eggs being fertilised, but he said that doesn't happen until the hen sits. they are a bit of a mixture, the cock is a light sussex, and the hens are 1 light sussex, 1 warren, 1 rhode island red, 1 silkie, 1 polish and 2 warren x sussex

muntjac · « **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2007, 13:36 »

well he is pulling ya leg ..or ripping you off he probably wanted to get rid of it . can i ask how much you payed for the birds? , id eat the cockerel ifi was you , you certainly dont ned a cockerel for mor eggs ,,,,

purplebat · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2007, 13:43 »

they were all free. the bloke had dozens of them and he was getting rid of all of them. if i can find some-one to do the deed i may well take your advice, I know i can't that's why i'm a veggie.

muntjac · « **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2007, 13:49 »

ok well you did ok there but he got the cockerel out the way as well .. keep an eye on the news for any details of whether you should lock them in the shed ,if yoor pen has closed roof you can let them run in it . i suggest you stretch an old tarp or sheet of some sort over the top of the pen , as of now you well out the trouble area

purplebat · « **Reply #12 on:** February 04, 2007, 13:54 »

thanks for that! I have already got a net over the top of the run, as one of the hens seems to be a houdini, will that be as good as a tarp?

muntjac · « **Reply #13 on:** February 04, 2007, 13:57 »

yes . i would have it there permanantly at somepoint as im guessing u have feral foxes in your area of ipswich seeing as i used to work at great blakenham estate

purplebat · « **Reply #14 on:** February 04, 2007, 13:59 »

we live at Hadleigh, but the allotment is at Kersey, do you know it?

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