18 weeks old and no eggs yet...

[so lucky]

I don't think layer food has anything in it to MAKE the girls start laying. It just has extra calcium in it for the egg shells. Personally, my opinion, I don't think you have done anything wrong by feeding them layer food at the age they are. Seanb, have the girls started paying attention to the nest boxes? The roos may try to assist with "finding" a good place to nest, showing the girls how he thinks she ought to be kicking up the straw, turning around in the nest, etc. Cute to watch. Also, the girls' combs and wattles will get red, as they get ready to start laying. My White Rock pullet started laying at 16.5 weeks, so you may get lucky soon!

 

[seanb]

Quote:
Haven't really noticed any attention paid to the nest boxes (even though they're solid red oak and I poured my heart and soul into making them) but I've noticed some feathers in them (may have blown in there with a breeze coming through the windows).

Starting to notice the combs and wattles turning red on the Leghorns.

We only switched to layer feed due to the lady at the feed store suggesting it. She said we should take them off the medicated feed before they start laying. I didn't believe either that there was anything in the layer feed to prompt laying, but then this stuff is all new to me.

Thanks again for all the comments... most appreciated.