 |
| Star the Cream Legbar at 36 weeks old - pale/dry comb and wattles. |
My eldest Cream Legbar pullet Star, now about 36 weeks old, has still not started laying, even though her younger sister Misty, now about 30 weeks old, has been laying an egg a day for the last fortnight or so.
I'm rather confused at this situation and I'm beginning to wonder if there might be some sort of problem with Star that has stopped or delayed her from laying.
Star's behaviour seems pretty normal. She eats well and is inquisitive about anything new entering her space. She likes nothing better than to peck at my hands and legs when I do the daily chore of tidying up any spilt food, droppings or wood shavings from the floor of the chicken run.
 |
| Star the Cream Legbar also has quite a full figure! |
If you stand Star and Misty side by side it is very obvious that Misty's comb and wattles are much larger and redder. Misty, just as you'd expect for a pullet in lay, has developed the habit of squatting every time she thinks a mate is approaching.
Star's comb and wattles appear pale, shrivelled and dry. Looking at her comb in particular I get the impression there is a slight yellow colour to it. Star does not squat in readiness for mate. It would also be fair to say that Star is heavier than I would like her to be.
 |
| Misty the Cream Legbar at 30 weeks old - larger/redder comb and wattles. |
I cannot really account for the difference, other than to blame the individuality of the birds. I'm hoping Star's just a late developer, rather than anything more sinister. All of my pullets live in exactly the same conditions and experience the same food, water and daily regime.
Of course it is winter here in the UK and the hours of daylight are very short, with the sun rising at about 8.30 am and setting shortly before 4 pm. Maybe Star is just holding on for the longer, warmer daylight of Spring.
Of course it is winter here in the UK and the hours of daylight are very short, with the sun rising at about 8.30 am and setting shortly before 4 pm. Maybe Star is just holding on for the longer, warmer daylight of Spring.
If anyone has experience of such things I would appreciate their opinions in the comments below.
Wishing everyone a great Christmas and New Year.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please submit your comment only once. We will endeavour to approve and publish comments on a regular basis.