[Tiggs]

Hi
 
We have 2 light sussex hens. Our first hen ( Indi) laid  her first egg when she was 21 weeks.  But Rose seems to be very slow. She is now 24 weeks and there is still no sign.  She has acted strange by making lots of noise when Indi is laying and hanging around the coop.  I have even found her on top of Indi when she is laying.

I am in 2 minds a) should I be patient but b) i  worry there may be something wrong.  Feeding wise they must be ok, as Indi is laying everyday.

Would be grateful for any ideas..!!

[joyfull]

Be patient, some don't lay till they are over 30 weeks 

[Tiggs]

Thanks very much

Is there anything that I can do to help her come into lay, other than feeding layers pellets?

Now the autumn is approaching, will that impact on her coming into lay at all ?

[joyfull]

She will lay in her own time, what is her comb like? is it small and pale pink or has it grown and reddened up yet? Birds do tend to lay less in winter as there is a lot less daylight, some of mine went from 6 a week down to 4 or 5 a week last year, and two decided to wait until spring but they were younger than yours. 

[dizzylizzie]

chickens lay eggs...dont worry , she will lay when she is ready. chicken are born with the amount of eggs inside that they will ever lay, so think of it in a positive light, the longer she takes to start laying the longer you will have eggs for

[Tiggs]

Thanks again

Her comb reddened up around 5 weeks ago, so thought an egg was on its way!
Never mind, we will have to be patient and enjoy the eggs from our other hen, indi

[grumpydad]

if she squats down opening her wings and shakes a bit when you put your hand over her back, then she thinks you are the cockerel .....lol.....and wont be far off laying.

enjoy the eggs

martyn

[joyfull]

I love it when they do that especially if they stamp their feet at the same time  .
Only 3 of mine squat though, but 7 lay 

[grumpydad]

vera, our little bantam that has been very poorly has squatted down today, didnt think she would ever lay again because she had been so poorly, but would not have got rid of her, she is hopefully better.

martyn

[Foxy]

vera, our little bantam that has been very poorly has squatted down today, didnt think she would ever lay again because she had been so poorly, but would not have got rid of her, she is hopefully better.

martyn

I do hope she is getting better! Her first egg will be sooooo special Grumpydad!

[Tiggs]

Since my orginal question, I have come home from work today to find Rose seeming abit under the weather.

She seems to have runnny poos with abit of a mucky bottom, is hunched up and not interested in the corn, which she usually enjoys. Indi, our other hen is fine.

Neither of our hens are easy to handle, very flighty!

Rose has still not laid, so could this be a sign that something is happening or is it something more sinister? Any suggestions would be great.

They have had fruit the last few days so I thought I would keep her just on the layers pellets? What do you thinK?