20 weeks old....still no eggs

[smalltownchicks]

We have 7 hens and still no eggs. I've read that they slow down in the winter. Do you think my girls will wait until Spring to lay any at all?
I'm really trying to be patient but it's so hard

 

[aoxa]

First year pullets generally lay through winter.

20 weeks is still young! It all depends on breed. My BR was 6 months old when she started laying. My mutt was 7 months old..

 

[chicmom]

They'll lay, don't worry.....The average age to begin laying is 20 weeks. Some start at 17 weeks, while others take 25 weeks or even longer. Depends on the breed, as well as environmental factors.

What kind of pullets do you have?

Sharon

 

[DMRippy]

Most of my spring pullets didn't lay till 8 mths. They are laying pretty good. Yesterday all but one laid

 

[Fred's Hens]

First year pullets do indeed, usually, lay well through their first winter, but your's are a bit young. They may also be delayed by the lack of sunlight hours this time of year. You have a choice. You can give them a few hours of pre-dawn lighting, by using simple $6 timer and an inexpensive to operate mini Florescent. Most folks have it come on at 5 am and go off at 10 am.

 

[chickee]

The Ameraucana pullets I purchased as chicks this year just started laying a few weeks ago at 7 months old. Hope yours start laying soon for you

 

[Katydid2011]

I have 20 7-month old pullets that haven't laid yet and they're under lights. The wait is hard but I know they'll lay when they're ready.

 

[whitecra]

MIne are 8 months old and still no eggs. I am getting ready to just get rid of all my chickens.
Chris

 

[corgiscatsandchickens]

My last BR girl finally started laying. Her first egg--a double yolker-- at 25 weeks. Thought I'd go insane waiting. Just give it time. They lay when they're ready! They have no regard for our feelings in the matter!

 

[lorain's fids]

From reading many posts here on the board we all have chickens around the same age-20 weeks or so who are waiting for that first egg.