Spring Babies Are Now Laying
By Kareng
@kareng (80243)
United States
December 9, 2019 3:16pm CST
Some may remember the baby chicks I got to add to my flock last April and some may not. They are all grown up now and have started laying eggs. A hen matures and starts laying as early as five months old. I have been waiting and watching for those eggs from the new little girls.
Day before yesterday, I was pleased to see that there were two eggs on the ground in the coop the new girls are in. This is common for new layers to lay on the ground. I do have nest boxes up in that coop and also a couple of square cartons (coke crates). I have older hens that use the crates vs. the nest boxes so I offer both.
It was nice to get two extra eggs since they have slowed down drastically on laying with the short days of winter. I'm ready for Mr. Winter to go away and have nice and warm weather. I know this is a few months away, but one can dream, right?
Photo Credit: Pixabay, public domain
11 people like this
13 responses
@Tina30219 (82978)
• Onaway, Michigan
11 Dec 19
One can define dream about warmer weather winter is here for us at least until April sometimes May. So when will these eggs hatch?
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
23 Dec 19
@Tina30219 Yes, in spring and summer I have enough to share with my daughters and friends.
@Tina30219 (82978)
• Onaway, Michigan
17 Dec 19
@kareng That is nice you have them daily
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
10 Dec 19
Some every day and some every other day. It depends on time of the year. In the winter with decreased daylight, they don't lay very often. I've been getting one to four eggs a day right now with 22 hens. It will pick up when the days start to get longer.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135664)
• Marion, Ohio
9 Dec 19
glad they have started laying for you.
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
10 Dec 19
@wolfgirl569 Oh wow! They totally stopped? I was looking at a chart earlier tonight about how they decrease in laying by age. Here is the link:
I thought it was a bit drastic, but thinking back to last year it may be right on target. My oldest hens are right at 5 years old. And I did notice a reduction in eggs. The hens that I got from an old classmate, I have no idea how old they really are. I was told just a couple of years old, but I suspect some were 7-8 years old. I'm just going to continue to add a few babies every year if possible.
https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/10-breeds-of-chicken-that-will-lay-lots-of-eggs-for-you/
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135664)
• Marion, Ohio
10 Dec 19
@kareng It seemed to take forever waiting for those jersey giants to start laying. Then they stopped a year later
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (59987)
• Philippines
9 Dec 19
That's fine. Hens are laying eggs. What breed are yout chickens?
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
14 Dec 19
@Nakitakona I got mixed when I bought a friend's flock. Then last year I bought 2 each of some other breeds that I liked and were good layers.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222280)
• United States
10 Dec 19
Exciting! I would like to taste some really fresh eggs. Yes, I agree. I hate winter...the cold and the short days.
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
10 Dec 19
@LindaOHio Oh yes! I think I would let the mail stay outside too with those temps.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222280)
• United States
10 Dec 19
@kareng We're going to be in the teens tonight and tomorrow night! HIbernation time.
1 person likes this
