Confession - I'm a terrible chicken mother!!!

[Nicos]

Little rascals!!!!!

[frias]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and I've a feeling I might even hear the whoop of delight from here when it happens.

[HayleyB]

They're probably hiding them Beph I found one behind a stable door yesterday, 4 have now decided the mocked up nest box in the feed room is favourable although it is quite funny to see two competing for space in one feed bowl

[Bephlam]

I've looked around but can't find them, and they have been spending mostly all their time in their run (because we've been ill, etc etc etc) and there really isn't all that many places to hide eggs!

I soooo hope it's nearly time for one. They're really odd lately - spend nearly all their time in their house, won't come out. Don't know what's up with them, but I'm hoping it's all egg related. Got to use my new secret santa egg cup soon!!

[Ashbylife]

Ours were between 26 and 30 weeks when they started laying and that was in the warmer weather of October/Nov - the last couple had only just started laying when the nights drew in and they promptly stopped again! Coming back on now though - 3 eggs from 4 girls yesterday. What breed are yours? (ours are Marans). Ours also went through some odd behaviour when they started laying - sulking in the border, sitting hunched up, going in and out of the house - several times we thought one was going to die, then eventually an egg would appear and it'd be right as rain again! Certainly sounds like you'll have eggs soon.

[Bephlam]

I sure hope so Ash - everyday my OH and I have the "I think there is an egg coming" conversation...and still...no eggs!!!

Here is hoping!

[HayleyB]

Sorry Beph but I got 16 eggs yesterday

[Bephlam]

Arghhh....stop torturing me!!! I had to BUY 6 eggs yesterday, which BREAKS MY HEART!!!!

[Ashbylife]

I should go the whole hog and buy a couple of dozen - that's bound to get them laying!

[Polly Fouracre]

I was late letting my girls out yesterday morning (late home from work) and Bright, giving me an outraged glance, immeadiately scuttled off into a thicket of brambles. I gave her a couple of minutes then went past and looked casually in. Sure enough a beady eye was spotted. That evening I went up to shut them away armed with secataurs and dummy eggs. I cut away just enough bramble to be able to get my hand into her beautifully fashioned nest and recovered three eggs. Hopefully she will continue laying there as there are a lot of hiding places to choose from!
Are you sure your girls aren't laying, Bephlam? They can be terribly sly when it comes to nests and can seem to disappear into thin air then reappear at will.
If you pick them up and feel between the pelvic bones under the tail you will feel a gap between them. One finger width means not laying, two, thinking about it, three definately laying!
If not then I feel sure they will start with the lengthening days.

[di]

I should go the whole hog and buy a couple of dozen - that's bound to get them laying!

Sounds like a master plan!!...they'll start soon,don't some POL skip the 1st winter for laying?Come Spring you won't know what to do with them all....no consolation for now,I know,but it sounds like you totally are doing everything you can be....maybe they just want to stay as your little babies for just a while longer before entering the grown-up egglaying age...p'raps a lil word in their ears to assure them they'll always be your babies may help?

[Bephlam]

I am pretty sure they're not laying because they've not been free ranging for a couple of weeks really, and there are no eggs in their run at all - I've hunted high and low. I didn't close them up last night, because it wasn't very cold, and when we went out at 3.30 to let the dogs out the girls were up clucking away in their run...in the pitch black.

Right now, the sun is shining and they are in their house....it's all very weird. I do think it's hormonal, but it's annoying...they're being freaky!!!

I have reassured them they'll be my babies forever...either that or a chicken risotto!!!

Only kidding, I couldn't eat the three degrees!!

[frias]

Maybe you have duck/chicken crosses. My neighbours ducks spend most of the night splashing around in the pond and most of the day sleeping. My husband let our girls into the run at 6.30 this morning and he thought that was early. Neighbour says she sat in her garden at 8am having a ciggie and the fox was trotting round. Her dog didn't even notice it at first. My lot are free ranging at the moment but only cos husband is out there. The only time they go into the coop is to lay or have nose if I'm cleaning out. If yours are acting really different, I'm sure eggs are on the way , they just don't understand what's happpening. How about a head of broccoli or corn on the cob in the run to encourage them out of their house?

[Bephlam]

They do quack frais...Maybe that's what it is. Crispy shredded duck all round then!