[bob-the-chick]

Hi!!!

Back again I'm afraid!

So... these little beauties are now 26/27 weeks old and not so much as a single egg between them. I'd of thought by now that 1 of the 10 would be offering me some return! They are actually Amber Star's I believe. I can't find information regarding when this particular variety should be producing eggs (or for that matter if different varieties start producing eggs at different times)

They were wormed 2 weeks ago. I've even added a couple of other 'nesting' areas - although I'm not sure that the nesting areas are suitable (how particular are they about where they lay?)

Do you think that I'm being impatient or should I be looking for other reasons as to why they aren't laying? ie health, environment etc?

Should I be concerned at all ?

Thanks once again in advance...

[Allotment_Guy]

Hi there.

Are you using layers pellets?

Are they laying other than in your nesting boxes?

[bob-the-chick]

I'm using layers pellets and corn. I was mixing half and half but have now started putting out mainly layers pellets and throwing a few handfuls of corn out for them. I've also put grit down for them. The get plenty of food and water from what I understand (I never let either run out).

:-)

[Aunt Sally]

Have we ever seen a picture of your hens ?

Perhaps they are not as old as you think they are. 

How old were they said to be when you bought them ?

[bob-the-chick]

The little label said they were 18 weeks when we got them (that was Feb 16th)... It seems like a good long while ago now!

I shall pop out and take a photo or two (sad, I know! :-) )

[Aunt Sally]

I'll bet they were younger 

[poultrygeist]

And do they get plenty of exercise ?

Cabbages to reach up for and space to chase each other about for worms, etc

Rob

[bob-the-chick]

You mean to say that the breeder could have been telling fibs! :-)

[Aunt Sally]

I would never say a thing like that 

But would s/he give up a sale for a little thing like age ?

[bob-the-chick]

They get plenty of excercise - bags of space (I think).  I could try the hanging cabbage... I'll try anything to be honest. (The golf ball trick is already in place)

I took these pictures just - and I have to say, I'm thinking of framing one of these :-) . Joking, obviously... Honest.

[Aunt Sally]

At a guess I'd say they are younger than you think, 18-20 week perhaps !

Others wil be along with their estimate.

[bob-the-chick]

And a couple of snaps from the day that we got them (way back in Feb)

[Aunt Sally]

Them's is babies Ahhhh...

[CDave]

Comments made using experience of my own Amber Stars - Think that the combs on some of your birds have a little way to go before they look big and red enough to lay.The one in the main picture looks ok though. Don't think you will be waiting long. Bottom line is that your birdsat 18 weeks look a bit younger than that. Don't worry - a few more weeks and they'll be off.

[bob-the-chick]

Hoorar! Thank you. Good to get a sanity check from those that know :-)

So they are Amber Stars then?? That was my best guess after trawling the internet. They were actually sold as 18 wk old Silver Sussex. So I'm not convinced the seller actually had any more idea of what s/he was selling than I did about what I was buying!