First egg.. when's the next?

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daniel1005

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One of my hens laid her first egg on the 19th Aug. When should her next be? Does it take a while to get going?
 
Congratulations daniel!!! And welcome!

My first one was on a Monday, then she (black Sex-Link) skipped a day. She's been pretty regular since. I'm guessing six a week so far.

I'm not seasoned enough to give an educated response, but I'm sure someone will be along soon to tell you.

I'm sure they will want to know what the breed is and what is her age, just to start with.

Enjoy,

Wrigley
 
I'm not sure of age probs around 20 weeks she's a hybrid bovan nera or black star she's a great bird very friendly
 
Young ones can be a bit erratic when they first start Daniel. But I would expect another to follow very shortly and then settle to one a day 'ish. They may be slightly more than 24 hours between eggs so lay later and later in the day then skip a day (because they won't lay at night) which gives you about 6 a week. Generally that's what all our hybrids have done.
 
Hi Chris thanks for the advice. Are you from a shop/stockist in Staffordshire?
 
No Daniel, I'm just like you, a back garden poultry keeper. Started 5 years ago with 7 Orpingtons and made a real mess of it to start with so began reading a lot. Didn't really get to grips with things until I joined this forum -it was a lot of trial and error before that. There are lots of different ideas about how to do things, some work and some don't and some work much better than others. Until you start to ask "WHY does it work or not work?" you don't learn that much.
 
Good morning Ziggy,

I have a buff that will be 19 weeks old this Wednesday, she hasn't started yet. Our roo doesn't even try to "mess" with her yet either. I'm thinking she won't be ready for atleast another four to six weeks, maybe.
 
Signs that they are nearly ready include them inspecting the nestboxes during the daytime, crouching down and spreading wings when you put a hand over their backs, and growth and reddening of their combs. Purebreds usually take longer to start to lay than hybrids, which tend to be bred to get going as soon as possible for commercial reasons. At this end of the summer the daylight is lessening so this also has an effect because egglayting is closely related to the amount of light available. At 26 weeks yours are not unusually late starters and should get there by the end of September, - maybe....
 
Well I guess it's soon , but I've moved a friendly lavender araucana in with them who knows her way round the coop
To show them where to go , plus I have definite cockerel in there with them , who's not bothering them yet ! But I hope they start soon as the nights are drawing in
 
It's hard to be patient, but it's better for the birds if they grow on steadily at their own pace, rather than becoming teenage mums too soon, before fully grown. Sometimes hybrids that lay very early, before 20 weeks, can get prolapse problems because not yet properly mature. You will have good strong birds and those first eggs will be extra special when they finally appear.
 
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