Barley has now laid four eggs this year so far. She has laid every other day since the first one and each one has been slightly bigger than the one before. Her comb is big and red whereas Peaches is still smaller and pale at the tip.
Speckles comb is also getting bigger and redder and she has become more vocal. She has taken to jumping on my back, like she used to, when I go through the gate. Getting near to egg laying seems to give her more confidence. Emerald always has a very small comb and it’s pale pink.
Rusty and Freckles have very red combs and faces. They look ready to start laying eggs but haven’t shown any interest yet.
I gave the girls some fish this morning as a protein boost. I love seeing them altogether like this.
The girls have some fish
Barley goes in the nest box to lay her egg
Peaches comb
Barley’s comb is back to blocking her view from one eye
Freckles
Rusty
Speckles
Comedy Speckles
Even more comedic Speckles
It took several photos to get a decent one of Speckles comb because she always turns to look up at me, which makes for some funny comedy shots, so I thought that I would leave them in.
Peaches and Speckles combs will get redder as they get nearer to laying but they are already quite different to a few months ago. I would anticipate that Peaches and Speckles will start laying in about a weeks time. Emerald has always started in March.
Freckles and Rusty are the unknown quantity. They are now eight months old and I would have expected them to have started laying by now. Oh well, I am sure they will get started eventually, in their own sweet time. I am looking forward to more eggs soon.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
I love the pictures of Speckles.
I too love that little upside down face. She always gives me such an intent look. You can almost read her face.
Speckles’ comb has certainly grown since I last paid any real attention; her wattles, too, look like they’re bigger and redder. Home-produced breakfasts on a consistent basis very soon! Enjoy.
Her comb has grown but it will get bigger and redder yet. I can’t wait to have our eggs for breakfast regularly again. I have saved Barley’s three remaining eggs (after we ate the first one) for our Sunday breakfast.
Yea. I love eggs. Coco is coming back into lay and SCREAMED all morning. OMG, it’s so embarrassing to hear her. She’ll settle back into a routine in a few days. Happy to be going off to work tomorrow.
It is lovely when the egg laying starts up again but oh my goodness, they do get so much more vocal. You suddenly realise how quiet they are over winter.