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When will my rhode island reds start laying?

post #1 of 33
11/9/10 at 1:32pm
Thread Starter 

I have 5 rhode island red chickens that are 22 weeks old and 21 weeks old. When will they start laying. Does it matter if I don't give them oyster shells. To help them lay in the nesting box I put one of my eggs from the fridge in. Is that ok. I am new to keeping chickens and don't know these things. Thanks to anyoe who helps.

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post #2 of 33
11/9/10 at 2:38pm

I would be patient, they will lay very soon!  I would use a fake eggs, I actually have a few plastic easter eggs I use.

3 cats, 2 dogs, 15 fish, 1 frog and 28 hens, 3 roosters, 22 chicks and 2 Nubian goats, 1 nubian/oberhasli Buck, 1 Saanen Wether and 2 of the cutest little kiddlings.  

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3 cats, 2 dogs, 15 fish, 1 frog and 28 hens, 3 roosters, 22 chicks and 2 Nubian goats, 1 nubian/oberhasli Buck, 1 Saanen Wether and 2 of the cutest little kiddlings.  

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post #3 of 33
11/9/10 at 2:41pm

Hopefully they lay soon. I put my old shag golf balls in the nest. I'm waiting on 7 barred rocks, 3 marans, & 6 EE's to start

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post #4 of 33
11/9/10 at 2:43pm

The wait is terrible isnt it?  My RIR laid at 22 weeks and 5 days so you should be getting one soon.  Has she been singing the egg song.  Mine did and thats how I knew she was close.  2 weeks after my RIR laid my Leghorn started laying too

There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling
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There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling
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post #5 of 33
11/9/10 at 2:54pm

One of my RIR's started at 20 weeks, the other one is now 26 weeks and hasn't layed an egg. It's just a tossup I guess.

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post #6 of 33
11/9/10 at 2:58pm

I would buy the oyster shell. I waited and waited and I put out the oyster shell and got an egg the next day. Probably coincidence. But it should be pretty cheap.

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post #7 of 33
11/9/10 at 4:54pm

My first RIR laid her first egg at 136 days. 3 weeks later, I got a misshapen egg and a rubber shelled giant egg on the same day. My guess is I now have 1 (of 6) laying daily and 2 sporadically. Hopefully, her sisters start pulling their own weight. Otherwise, they're starting to look pretty tasty. smile

Keeper of 6 Rhode Island Reds (born June/2010).
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Keeper of 6 Rhode Island Reds (born June/2010).
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post #8 of 33
11/9/10 at 4:59pm

My RIR is over 30 weeks.  a few weeks ago I posted the same question.
everyone told me to be patient that "heritage birds" can take longer.
whatever that means.
Now she has sore feet, so still waiting while we soak her feet, massage and put neosporin on them.
My husband says "this is a lot of work for a $2 chicken."

fist time chick owner in 2010, mom to 3, 2 dogs, a new rabbit and hubby too
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fist time chick owner in 2010, mom to 3, 2 dogs, a new rabbit and hubby too
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post #9 of 33
11/9/10 at 5:22pm

One of my RIRs laid her first egg today, tomorrow she will be 25 weeks and her sister has not laid yet.

Homeschooling  RNMom of 3 humans,3 dogs,2 guinea pigs, 1 cat, 1 koi, 3 ryunkin goldfish, 1 african spurred tortoise and 6 chicks.
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Homeschooling  RNMom of 3 humans,3 dogs,2 guinea pigs, 1 cat, 1 koi, 3 ryunkin goldfish, 1 african spurred tortoise and 6 chicks.
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post #10 of 33
11/9/10 at 6:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomfieldenloveshichickens 

I have 5 rhode island red chickens that are 22 weeks old and 21 weeks old. When will they start laying. Does it matter if I don't give them oyster shells. To help them lay in the nesting box I put one of my eggs from the fridge in. Is that ok. I am new to keeping chickens and don't know these things. Thanks to anyoe who helps.


I have 3 RIR girls 1st one laid at one day shy of 26 weeks she was squatting for about 2 wks and egg song was about 2 days before she laid and she was also playing in the nest boxes.. I put golf balls in my boxes she kicked them out and I put them back for a day or two.  Her 2 sisters started laying within days from her but no egg song  or squatting prior to laying.  Hmmmm....  It will happen, trust me October 28th was my 1st egg and they only seem to take 1 day a week off, eggs every day!  I love my girls... be patient it will be fantastic!  Good Luck to you and be sure to post that 1st beautiful egg picture.

Wife to a "Very tolerant and patient husband", Mother to 3 girls 18,10 and 6, 1cat, 1 dog, 3 RIR's, 2 Buff ORPS, 3 Bl Copper Marans, 1 Dominique, 1 Light Brahma and 5 silkies
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Wife to a "Very tolerant and patient husband", Mother to 3 girls 18,10 and 6, 1cat, 1 dog, 3 RIR's, 2 Buff ORPS, 3 Bl Copper Marans, 1 Dominique, 1 Light Brahma and 5 silkies
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