2 Easter Eggers/ 22wks Not laying

[Chick-N-Fun]

Waiting is the hardest part!
Just be patient....their beautiful eggs will be worth the wait! ♥

 

[StephanieRose44]

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

Well they just started laying and just about all my pullets/hens have laid so I’m keeping track like a Crazy person, I’ll watch one go in the nesting box, until I hear that egg song usually from the whole flock it’s pretty loud I know to go out and grab that egg so I know who’s is who’s. First to get them to lay I shut them in the coop in order basically of who was making that honking noise (when they need to lay) the loudest they go in and didn’t come out until they started with the egg song. I’ve gotten to know each bird very well and I’m sure they are not laying.

 

[NorthernChick1]

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.

If you dont feed layer what do you feed them? My ee's are around 5months old and i havnt gotten one egg out of them yet.. they are one 17% layer.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

If you dont feed layer what do you feed them? My ee's are around 5months old and i havnt gotten one egg out of them yet.. they are one 17% layer.

I feed 20% protein Purina Flock Raiser and offer oyster shell free choice on the side for layers.

5 months is 20 weeks... hopefully they will start laying for ya soon, our days are getting so long!

 

[NorthernChick1]

Unfortunately i dont have a big choice of feed here as thers limited stores that supply feed. All i know about feed is that theres starter, grower and layer adn that the protein percentages are different. Should there diet consist of a higher protein percentage?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

All i know about feed is that theres starter, grower and layer adn that the protein percentages are different.

They usually also have different calcium levels.

17% protein is probably plenty if you aren't diminishing further with low quality treats like corn or scratch.

I like to feed "higher" protein (than layer)... but it's really a personal choice and most my birds are more dual purpose which requires slightly more nutrients for hatching. Before I had all this information at my finger tips... I fed layer once close to laying and had NO problems. Since I keep roosters now and always have chicks... I don't want the added calcium as it *can* (doesn't mean will) cause other issues if fed LONG term to bird not in lay. But I am NO fear monger about it!

If you are seeing feather quality issues... then it is likely a slightly higher protein could help. 17% is already more than the 16% in most layer feeds here in the US... which is formulated by LAW to meet the need of most chickens.

I MIGHT go with a "grower" (those are usually 18% here) with OS on the side, if it was my only other choice than layer. But if I just had a few hens getting ready to lay... your current one should NOT be an issue!

 

[aart]

They usually also have different calcium levels.

Good post.
Yes, learn to read the nutrition tags that list ingredients and percentages.
Usually sewn into bottom of bag.

Also look at mill date...might be on nutrition tag or printed on bottom seam tape.