2 Easter Eggers/ 22wks Not laying

[StephanieRose44]

I have 9 hens total all of them are between 20-22 wks and they are all laying except for my Silkie, my 2 Easter Eggers, and my Bantam GLW. I’m mostly concerned about the EE’s as I’ve heard Silkies & GLWs lay later than most breed but I heard they EEs usually lay early and frequently...but nothing yet they are on layer feed and have access to oyster shell.

 

[BuffOrps32]

My EE took about a year to start laying, seems we've heard different. I was always told it was long wait and that you shouldn't be surprised by lack of eggs.

 

[DobieLover]

I have 9 hens total all of them are between 20-22 wks and they are all laying except for my Silkie, my 2 Easter Eggers, and my Bantam GLW. I’m mostly concerned about the EE’s as I’ve heard Silkies & GLWs lay later than most breed but I heard they EEs usually lay early and frequently...but nothing yet they are on layer feed and have access to oyster shell.

EEs don't always lay early. My first girl to start laying was one of my EEs and she started at 21 weeks. My second EE didn't start until 25 and the third around 26.

 

[cmom]

I have had them lay as early as 16 weeks and there were some around 36 weeks before I got my first egg from them. You never know.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I heard they EEs usually lay early and frequently..

I disagree... all are individuals. Even a leghorn I got and was told would lay by 16 weeks didn't start until 24 weeks.

I never feed layer... dual purpose birds will do best with a little more protein than 16% which is the minimum to sustain light bodies layers like leghorn. GLW is a dp bird... This way my birds who aren't laying as actively or at all can access the OS on the side instead of excess calcium they aren't using, which could delay the onset of lay, stunt growth, or in extreme cases *could* (doesn't mean will) cause gout or kidney failure, if fed long term to birds not in lay.

You can tell if they are maturing or getting close by comb color and behavior. They become more talkative and some will squat when you approach. They also show more interest in the lay box or may begin to practice the egg song. Rest assured, if they aren't hiding a nest.. when they do lay the eggs will be slightly larger size than if they laid earlier. Also chickens are born with all the ovum they will ever have. Laying later maybe means laying longer in life (barring reproductive complications).

Be patient, sometimes it is relative to the time of year they are raised. Other times it's simply slower maturing genetics. Some lines may lay earlier but even among that line their will be some who won't comply with expectation.

 

[BuffOrps32]

I disagree... all are individuals. Even a leghorn I got and was told would lay by 16 weeks didn't start until 24 weeks.

I never feed layer... dual purpose birds will do best with a little more protein than 16% which is the minimum to sustain light bodies layers like leghorn. GLW is a dp bird... This way my birds who aren't laying as actively or at all can access the OS on the side instead of excess calcium they aren't using, which could delay the onset of lay, stunt growth, or in extreme cases *could* (doesn't mean will) cause gout or kidney failure, if fed long term to birds not in lay.

You can tell if they are maturing or getting close by comb color and behavior. They become more talkative and some will squat when you approach. They also show more interest in the lay box or may begin to practice the egg song. Rest assured, if they aren't hiding a nest.. when they do lay the eggs will be slightly larger size than if they laid earlier. Also chickens are born with all the ovum they will ever have. Laying later maybe means laying longer in life (barring reproductive complications).

Be patient, sometimes it is relative to the time of year they are raised. Other times it's simply slower maturing genetics. Some lines may lay earlier but even among that line their will be some who won't comply with expectation.

Excellent response, as usual. Helpful for me to, thanks EggSighted!

 

[cmom]

I have some Leghorns that were hatched out last July and just started laying and some haven't yet. I have had Leghorns in the past that have started to lay at around 16 weeks. I agree every bird is different but many people think breed instead of the individual birds. Just because one bird of a certain breed will lay early doen't mean they all will. There are always exceptions.

 

[StephanieRose44]

Thank you I feel much better now Yeah they are not really chatty at all the two of them barely make a peep, almost too quiet lol so I’m guessing they’ll take a bit longer. the same about the layer feed, what would you suggest? And with the Silkie hen she’s 21 weeks is it odd she hasn’t laid yet?

 

[Cindy in PA]

My EEs over the years started to lay between 18 & 22 weeks. How do you know they are not laying?

 

[sourland]

Due to their genetic diversity the onset of laying for EE is all over the place. There is nothing wrong with your birds.