20 Week Old White Leghorns

[AlbertaHen]

Hello! I'm a new chicken owner. My 25 White Leghorns were hatched October 4 and I have raised them since day old chicks. They are now 20 weeks old and haven't started laying yet so I was wondering if anyone had any advice on when they usually start? Or what I can do to encourage them to use the nest boxes? Right now they seem to pull all the hay out of the boxes and it's frustrating.

They are all getting their red combs and "Gobbles" as I like to call them. I was told when they turn red they are ready... but so far no eggs

I am still feeding them grower with some peas thrown in there and I also give them squash and other veggies and fruits every other day. Should I be feeding them layer now?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Twenty weeks is pretty early to start laying. Some do start that early though. Yours look to like they are close to being sexually mature. I would guess within the next month they will be laying well.

I would still feed them grower for a few months yet as long as it's non medicated. I would also add a dish of oyster shells after you get your first egg.

They tend to become very vocal and loud up to a week before beginning to lay.

If they are messing around in the nestboxes that good, I would add fake eggs or golf balls to show them it's safe in them.

 

[AlbertaHen]

Yay!! I got my first egg this morning! The shell was soft and it was broken in the nest box but atleast I know they are on their way! I put a couple plastic easter eggs in the nest boxes yesterday and voila!

20.5 weeks old.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Congratulations, kinda, good to hear.

 

[donrae]

I'm glad you got an egg, but I have to say most of those hens don't look anywhere close to laying

. Leghorns have quite large combs and your birds are all still pretty small and pale...you may be in for a wait.

 

[birds4kids]

Short days are causing the delay.

 

[Alton]

Hello! I'm a new chicken owner. My 25 White Leghorns were hatched October 4 and I have raised them since day old chicks. They are now 20 weeks old and haven't started laying yet so I was wondering if anyone had any advice on when they usually start? Or what I can do to encourage them to use the nest boxes? Right now they seem to pull all the hay out of the boxes and it's frustrating.

They are all getting their red combs and "Gobbles" as I like to call them. I was told when they turn red they are ready... but so far no eggs

I am still feeding them grower with some peas thrown in there and I also give them squash and other veggies and fruits every other day. Should I be feeding them layer now?

I have two leghorn chickens bought when they were 1 week old now they 18 weeks old starting laying week ago.