20 week old barred rocks. Any idea when they will lay?

[Chickenstw]

I have 2 barred rock chickens, Fig and Pepper that have just turned 20 weeks old as of yesterday. I heard that chickens start laying at around this time and I am getting very anxious for the first eggs. This is my first time with chickens. Does anyone have an idea of when they will start laying? Thank you!

 

[Chickenstw]

By the way I live in LA so our winters are not very brutal

 

[nuthatched]

20 weeks is young for most breeds, they'll likely start When the daylight gets longer, in about 5 weeks

 

[AGGuy]

Hi Nuthatched
My pullets are at 23 weeks, and they have collectively laid 2 small olive green eggs (Got Ham?). My Barred Leg 'Oreo' crouches, one of my two Americaunas (the darker one) will give off a series of distress squawks (she gets my vote for the eggs) and the buff Orpington just gets plumper.

I'm in Orange County CA and the day temps are in the mid 70's and the nights in the low 40's recently. I have a low light activated light in the coop on from 5 to 9 pm.
So I'm thinking they all can lay but maybe I have to just be patient and wait for that January increase in daylight and warmth for laying to happen.
Well, off to the store to buys eggs.

 

[igorsMistress]

It could be any time really, but 20 weeks is a bit young. Their combs don’t quite look dark enough yet.

 

[Mrs. K]

I think in 5 weeks... they will be 25 weeks old, they day will be getting longer and the light, will be getting brighter.

When the combs turn bright cherry red, and are a bit swollen, about 4 weeks to laying. When they squat for you, about 2 weeks to laying.

But most important ** When you have completely given up any hope of them laying, and have accepted the fact that for some reason, you have been granted the only chickens in the country that don't lay... well then about a week later.

Mrs K

 

[FunClucks]

I think in 5 weeks... they will be 25 weeks old, they day will be getting longer and the light, will be getting brighter.

When the combs turn bright cherry red, and are a bit swollen, about 4 weeks to laying. When they squat for you, about 2 weeks to laying.

But most important ** When you have completely given up any hope of them laying, and have accepted the fact that for some reason, you have been granted the only chickens in the country that don't lay... well then about a week later.

Mrs K

Truth!!!

 

[nuthatched]

But most important ** When you have completely given up any hope of them laying, and have accepted the fact that for some reason, you have been granted the only chickens in the country that don't lay... well then about a week later.

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times....chickens live off spite.

 

[David61]

when they squat you will have eggs very soon. Days not weeks.
10 of my 14 new girls are 19 weeks. I am putting in my night light this week. young layers can't control egg laying. with long nights they will drop the egg on the poop board because they can't see to get down off the roost into the nest box.
mr.beam dust to dawn stair light.
Beams MB500A Wireless Battery Powered Amber Sleep Friendly LED Nightlight, 2-Pack, White $7.99 on amazon

I put one on the bottom of the roost board and its gentle glow lights the poop board. I put the other one inside a nest box. The one AA battery last three months. By then the sun is back on the job.