[Hattrick]

Hi all, a complete greenhorn here both to the site and hen keeping.  One of my broodies hatched two chicks  on May 20th, one of which laid an (small!) egg today at just 8 weeks.  I have her and her two chicks in a separate run to protect the chicks from our cats, and as the mum had started to lay again a couple of weeks ago, had been offering a mix of chick crumbs, corn and layers pellets to the three of them.  Have I forced the youngster into lay because of this?  Is there anything I should do? 

I have allowed them free range for the last couple of days, and the mum roosted in the main house last night leaving the chicks in the nest box.  Can I now leave the chicks in the nest box without her?  (last night i put her back in with the chicks).  Should I encourage the chicks to use the main house now (ie put them on the perch in the main house tonight) or is it best to let them find it in due course - they have access to a low perch where they are but still prefer the nest.  Any advice appreciated!

[Sassy]

Mom often leaves them at areound 5 or 6 weeks so I would leave her.

I would put them in with the others especially if they have had sight of the chicks for a while. Do provide additional feeders though as that is the area over which fights usually break out.

Amazed re egg laid by 8 week old chook. I don't think the layers feed would have had this effect as they can often be fed for several months with this before laying an egg!

[buzzibea]

Hi, I'm new to all this too. Bought five point of lay hens three weeks ago, but so far not a single egg. Your chickens must be super egg layers to start at 8 weeks! What breed of hens have you got?

[GrannieAnnie]

Buzzibea, Some people sell pullets as point of lay when they are as young as 13 weeks, so be patient!  Your eggs will come!

I've never known an 8 week old chick to lay Hattrick, are you sure it was the chick that laid the egg?  I wouldn't have thought all her 'womanly' bits were in place at that time.

[Aunt Sally]

I would guess it was mum that laid the egg rather than the chick.

[buzzibea]

Buzzibea, Some people sell pullets as point of lay when they are as young as 13 weeks, so be patient!  Your eggs will come!

I've never known an 8 week old chick to lay Hattrick, are you sure it was the chick that laid the egg?  I wouldn't have thought all her 'womanly' bits were in place at that time.

Had first two eggs today! One from light Sussex and the other from black tail, maybe it's because my son placed two bought eggs into their nests yesterday. Also they have stopped sleeping and pooing in their nests and now perch. So two good things at once.

[GrannieAnnie]

Oh wonderful!!   And lots more lovely eggs to come!!