Eggs this year?

ness · « **on:** October 22, 2007, 21:29 »

Hi
I have got a mother hen and 3 chicks (all light sussex bantams) the chicks are about 7 weeks old. What is the likleyhood of the mum laying this year. Are the days too short to set her off. Is there anything I can give her to "encourage" this? I can't give her layers pellets as the chicks are too young for this.
Do I just give up about being excited about the egg thing till next year?

:oops:
Thanks Ness x

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2007, 21:31 »

Why do you want her to lay again soon :?: Are your other hens laying :?:

muntjac · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2007, 21:38 »

the chicks will be taken from mom by now and feeding independant ,i wouldnt even think about trying to have her setting till spring now she needs time to get meat back on her bones

ness · « **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2007, 21:52 »

They are my first chooks I have had them for about 4 weeks. They came as a job lot I was only meant to have two

. Its that "first egg anticipation" I think! Just wondered whether its reasonable to expect eggs this year or whether I need to calm down until next year.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2007, 21:54 »

How old are they :?:

muntjac · « **Reply #5 on:** October 22, 2007, 21:55 »

ermmmmmmm 7 weeks old anty ...... :roll: munty affect again lolo

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #6 on:** October 22, 2007, 21:57 »

No... not the chicks. The chooks, or do you only have one hen :?

muntjac · « **Reply #7 on:** October 22, 2007, 21:57 »

:oops:

ness · « **Reply #8 on:** October 22, 2007, 22:10 »

Am keeping the chicks with mum (apart from the cockerel who will have to go) so will end up with 3 girls (mum and 2 daughters). Will have to stop checking the nest box every morning

.
Am not desperate for eggs but am very excited at the thought of eating home grown eggs. Will concentrate on building the girls up for next year.
Thanks
Nessx

muntjac · « **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2007, 22:14 »

the hen will start to lay if the chicks are not mothered by her ,then the chicks will come into lay in spring im guesing

ness · « **Reply #10 on:** October 22, 2007, 22:15 »

Sorry Aunt Sally I didn't catch that!

Not sure how old mother hen is, she looks quite "mature" and is superb condition having just moulted. As I say they came as a job lot, I'm not even sure how old the chicks are am just guessing.
Thanks again
Ness

ness · « **Reply #11 on:** October 22, 2007, 22:19 »

I only have 1 hen. She is definitely still mothering her brood although they I'm sure they don't need it!

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #12 on:** October 22, 2007, 22:21 »

Are you going to keep the chicks for company for her ? Hens don't like to be on their own :!:

ness · « **Reply #13 on:** October 22, 2007, 22:29 »

Yep definitely keeping the 2 girl chicks too, no lonely chickens here.

Anyone want a light sussex bantam cockerel?

Bodger · « **Reply #14 on:** October 22, 2007, 22:32 »

Its pretty parky at this time of year, if she's prepared to brood them at night, I wouldn't stop her. Every little helps as they say

new silkies pol... will i get eggs this year? Started by silverteen on The Hen House	2 Replies 1451 Views	November 15, 2011, 14:16 by rileyfin
pekin bantam - still no eggs nearly a year on Started by Deano27 on The Hen House	3 Replies 1975 Views	February 22, 2010, 17:05 by joyfull
soft eggs sorted but now she's eating the hard shelled eggs!!! Started by wolverine on The Hen House	6 Replies 4172 Views	September 19, 2010, 21:23 by orchardlady
wanted mandarin duck eggs and peacock eggs please - wales Started by CMFAM on The Hen House	7 Replies 5138 Views	May 04, 2008, 16:00 by babe

Eggs this year?

Bodger