19 and a half weeks old and still no eggs :( egg countdown anyone??

[PoultryGirly]

Thank you all for the info!

 

[FirewifeJess]

So I had another hen squat today. A few times, actually! She's my RIR. That makes her and one Buff Orp. I did do the 3 finger test between their bum bones and they both seem ready! Scarlett even had quite a juicy behind today, and her vent looked bigger than normal. Does this mean she could have already laid a hidden egg somewhere on the half acre, or could it also mean she's just really gearing up to lay? Starting tomorrow they'll be confined to the coop and run to encourage them to lay in the nest boxes. I may go ahead and let them out around 7pm for an hour before they bed down for the night but we'll see.

 

[Wrightsx4]

So I had another hen squat today. A few times, actually! She's my RIR. That makes her and one Buff Orp. I did do the 3 finger test between their bum bones and they both seem ready! Scarlett even had quite a juicy behind today, and her vent looked bigger than normal. Does this mean she could have already laid a hidden egg somewhere on the half acre, or could it also mean she's just really gearing up to lay? Starting tomorrow they'll be confined to the coop and run to encourage them to lay in the nest boxes. I may go ahead and let them out around 7pm for an hour before they bed down for the night but we'll see.

From my experience (haha...just one hen & one egg yesterday!)...
It sounds like today may be the day! My barred rock waited until all the other chickens left the coop then she went back inside (over & over!) to check on her nest box and try it out. She'd move things around, get comfortable then jump out and rejoin the others. Within ten minutes she was back checking on it again. When any of the chicken (or humans) went into the coop she gave us a warning to get out. Good thing there are windows - my daughter and I could barely stand the suspense! My husband thinks we're nuts, but guess who wanted 1/4 of that egg this morning...

 

[Presidential]

24 weeks today... Still waiting!
Six bantams.

Edited:
First egg was waiting for me, right after I posted this message! Happy Day!

 

[FirewifeJess]

Still waiting....!!! Scarlett (my RIR) squatted a few more times this morning while I was in the run with them all, and I created a new nest space which she thoroughly checked out! She looked at the fake egg really cock-eyed, LOL!

 

[Rhoise]

24 weeks today... Still waiting!
Six bantams.
Edited:
First egg was waiting for me, right after I posted this message! Happy Day!

Congrats Congrats Congrats!!!!

 

[BooBear]

24 weeks is what you should expect laying to start. Some may lay earlier; however, 24 is the normal time for most birds from production (hatchery) stock.
Keep in mind that some breeds may not reach this till 8 months or longer.
Breeder stock normally will take longer as they are bred to breed standards and not for just production.

Ofcourse, this does little with the anxious wait of the ever exciting first egg from a new pullet that says she is of age.
Happy Egg Watching and may your baskets overflow.

 

[PoultryGirly]

So I had another hen squat today. A few times, actually! She's my RIR. That makes her and one Buff Orp. I did do the 3 finger test between their bum bones and they both seem ready! Scarlett even had quite a juicy behind today, and her vent looked bigger than normal. Does this mean she could have already laid a hidden egg somewhere on the half acre, or could it also mean she's just really gearing up to lay? Starting tomorrow they'll be confined to the coop and run to encourage them to lay in the nest boxes. I may go ahead and let them out around 7pm for an hour before they bed down for the night but we'll see.

What is the three finger test??? Thanks!

 

[TnMama]

I've been waiting and waiting. My girls were hatched on 3/17. One of the smallest girls, a buff orp named Tink has been giving us eggs every day now. Mine roam and forage all day in the yard, so I'm concerned they will lay in the yard. I'm just so excited that Tink is laying, I literally thanked God for it. Now that I've gotten one, I'm trying to coax the others to lay. I started them on lay ration last week. I figure if Tink knows to lay in the hen house her variety of sisters {13} will follow suit. I just can't wait and my friends on F.B. are tired of hearing about it. Thanks for letting me share my enthusiasm!

 

[FirewifeJess]

Quote:
There are bones (forgive me, I don't know what they are called) that basically end right at the vent on either side. If you feel the width between the bones from the bottom (underneath the hen's rear end) and can fit 3 fingers between the bones, said hen should be laying soon. If it's narrower (1 finger, 2 fingers), hen isn't ready yet!