Misty the Cream Legbar's First Egg

Misty the Cream Legbar's First Egg.

More very exciting news from The Crofts Hens this morning, with another of my pullets laying her first egg.

Misty the Cream Legbar, now 28 weeks old, laid her first egg this morning after a few hours of very loud squawking. The perfectly formed egg, which has a healthy olive green shell, is similar in size to Matilda the Welsummer's first egg a few weeks ago.

I feel very fortunate to have actually been there when Misty laid her first egg. She was crouched down in the corner of the chicken house, having scraped a hollow in the wood shavings beneath. She was very still and quiet, clearly concentrating hard on the job at hand. After a few moments she stood up, shook her tail a bit and then I heard the egg drop onto the floor beneath her. Misty was seemingly in a trance, so I was able to reach in and retrieve the still moist egg there and then.

Misty the Cream Legbar.

Star, my other Cream Legbar, is now about 34 weeks old and has still not started laying. She is noticeably much fatter than Misty and has a paler comb. I am wondering if her excess weight is delaying her first egg.

Here in the UK there is currently the threat of avian influenza arriving from mainland Europe. As a preventative measure the Government has just ordered that all poultry should be kept indoors, including those that normally free range.

My five pullets are contained within their run and covered up to avoid contact with wild birds, but it is still a worrying time for many chicken farmers and hobbyists.