19 weeks and .... Nothing

[CoelhoFamily]

We have 10 hens. 3 are daily layers, they were laying when we got them.
We have 7 pullets 6 of which we have raised since day 1. The 6 are 19 weeks old. The other is close behind but we are unsure of the exact age.
These 6 (3-RIR and 3-EE) show absolutely NO signs they will be laying anytime soon. 5 of them have bright red combs and waddles now. No one is squatting no egg song, they could care less about the nesting box.
I have left eggs in the nesting boxes to give them hints. They somehow roll them out.
My guess is we have a group of freeloader lol or all silent under cover Roos.
Good news is the 3 hens who do "pay rent" provide us with plenty eggs.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's pretty young for those breeds to start laying. 5-8 months based on breeding is a more reasonable expectation. Mostly sex links and leghorns, egg production breeds start that early. RIR are considered dual purpose, and EE are ornamental. So a bit more time before they begin.

 

[CoelhoFamily]

Well without further ado one of our RIR started laying yesterday 19 weeks old.. The eggs a little small but it's perfect

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Congratulations, glad I was wrong.

 

[aart]

This further supports my theory that starting a new thread complaining about lack of eggs will make them magically appear!!!
Hahaha...totally a joke.....or a coincidence....or fate....or whatever.
Glad you got some eggs!

 

[snmarchi]

I just posted yesterday that my birds were 19 weeks and had not laid one egg. Today we have our first egg!

 

[FireGurl26]

MY RIR's just started laying at 20 weeks old. I love going out and finding em. Like an easter egg hunt in the nest boxes..lol.