I purchased five Australorps on Feb 12th and I was told that they were 17 weeks old at the time of purchase. Everything I have read has said they should be laying now that they are supposedly 27 1/2 weeks old. But not a single egg.
They have just started to get really red on their combs and ears, etc. Is this normal?? I am beginning to think its personal at this point. They have plenty of food, oyster shell, water, clean nesting boxes and a perfectly nice grassy area in their coop, but nothing. They are being fed layers feed and get at least one protein and/or calcium rich treat a day in addition to their regular diet. Am I being impatient? Everything I read has said on average they start laying around 24 weeks. I am really starting to question whether the seller was telling me the truth about their age or lied to get a few more dollars out of me. Being a first time owner I have no idea if they were 13 weeks or 17 weeks.
In addition to the australorps I purchased 5 Buff Orpingtons the Feb 19th. At 13-14 weeks at time of purchase they were bigger than the A's were at supposedly 17 weeks and now they are all the same size and the BO's are only 22-23 weeks old now. I am not expecting anything from the BO girls just yet but at this rate they may produce sooner. who knows.
Going crazy waiting. The worst part is I talked to a fellow chicken owner and they tell me that theirs started laying at 18 weeks!!! AGHGHH!!!
Anybody with Australorp's can you tell me your experience with when your hens began to lay?
In addition to the australorps I purchased 5 Buff Orpingtons the Feb 19th. At 13-14 weeks at time of purchase they were bigger than the A's were at supposedly 17 weeks and now they are all the same size and the BO's are only 22-23 weeks old now. I am not expecting anything from the BO girls just yet but at this rate they may produce sooner. who knows.
Going crazy waiting. The worst part is I talked to a fellow chicken owner and they tell me that theirs started laying at 18 weeks!!! AGHGHH!!!
Anybody with Australorp's can you tell me your experience with when your hens began to lay?