18 weeks old and no eggs yet...

[seanb]

i know it's still early but our 9 hens haven't delivered any eggs yet. We've got 2 Barred Rocks, 3 Leghorns, 2 Americaunas, 1 Cochin and 1 Blue Andelusian.

They're all very well fed. Besides keeping their layer feed stocked, they get to free range several hours each day and have unrestricted access to the vegetable garden.

Any ideas on when we should expect to see eggs and who will likely go first? They're all 18 weeks old today.

Thanks.

 

[CarolJ]

I have 7 hens in my flock. I got my first egg at 22 weeks/6 days. The last of the seven to lay did it at 26 weeks/4 days. It'll happen...but waiting for that first egg is torture!

I'm betting the leghorns lay first.

 

[Cpprpnny19]

I was told that most hens start laying at @ 6 months.
So far that has been true with my Red Sexlinks, RIR,
NH reds that were 3-4 months old when I got them.

Lynne

 

[nuttyredhead]

My first flock didnt start until the were 18 - 19 weeks, they were Amberlinks (pretty hearty layer). I have read that anywhere between 18 - 24 is normal laying age. How long have they been on layer feed? Are they doing the squat when you try to touch them?

Also if you post pics some of the people here may be able to tell by looking at them if they are close to laying. My new girls will be 17 weeks in 2 days....and i cant wait so i know what you are going through!

 

[seanb]

Quote:
I don't remember how many weeks they've been on layer feed but we just opened the second 50 lb. bag. I want to say it's been about 6 weeks. (There are also 3 roosters sharing. We were only supposed to have one rooster but we all know how that works out.) Yeah, most of them squat when we pet them after they come in at night.

As much time as they spend on our acre of ground, I'm figuring the first eggs will require some searching for until we get them acclimated with using the nest boxes.

I'll try to put up some pictures later on. I must admit I take the time just about every day to take pictures of them while they're exploring the yard.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Want Less]

We have some that are 25 weeks and havent laid yet.

 

[sjmarshall87]

Quote:
I don't remember how many weeks they've been on layer feed but we just opened the second 50 lb. bag. I want to say it's been about 6 weeks. (There are also 3 roosters sharing. We were only supposed to have one rooster but we all know how that works out.) Yeah, most of them squat when we pet them after they come in at night.

As much time as they spend on our acre of ground, I'm figuring the first eggs will require some searching for until we get them acclimated with using the nest boxes.

I'll try to put up some pictures later on. I must admit I take the time just about every day to take pictures of them while they're exploring the yard.

Thanks for the replies.

I am a first time chicken owner but my personal belief is you may have started them on Layer feed far too early. I was informed by my feed supply "chicken expert" to keep my RIR's on the starter feed until 24 weeks OR until you see the first egg THEN switch them to layer feed. I didnt begin seeing egg production until 22-23 wks. It still isnt a steady stream either

I guess the concern with jumping too quickly onto the layer feed is "forcing" the chicken into early maturity.. Kinda like injecting a 8 yr old girl with steriods to get her period to start.. (yea I know.. gross

)

 

[suburbanchickymama]

I just got my 1st egg almost 2 weeks ago when my older girls were just shy of 23 weeks! Most of them still aren't laying (3 are 10 days younger). I switched to layer feed at about 18 weeks (when my organic feed supplier recommended) and when they looked like they were getting close (redder face and bigger comb/wattles). My FBCM was the 1st and just like I had read on here her comb shot up and got bright red and the back flopped over a bit and poof - there was an egg one day! I do betchya your leghorns won't make you wait too much longer! Here's hoping they lay in the nesting box like they're supposed to!!! Good luck!!!

 

[chefchick]

I got my first agg at just under 19 weeks, and was suprised on Friday when I had three eggs in my boxes. so at 20 weeks, at least three of my 6 are layings. They are RSL and RIR.

 

[dbounds10]

18 weeks is still a little young. My BR started laying at almost 21 week. They were all on starter/grower until then. I switched them all to layer after the first egg. The other thing you need to start thinking about is their free range time. If they are out all day and start laying, you could be on an egg hunt in the yard. I dont let mine out til the afternoon after everyone lays. Now that most of mine are laying, they go out about 4 and if someone needs to lay, they go back to the coop because that is where they are used to laying.

I still have one hold out (EE) that is 29 weeks and has not started laying.