20 weeks old....still no eggs

[Johnboy78]

Took 26 weeks to see the first egg. That was last Saturday.
RIR. Have seen a different egg but not sure whether it was a Hamburg
or a sexlink. Total of 10 so far.
Surprised me, I figured I would be waiting for spring.
Like many I guess I was reading the books and expecting something
at 18 to 20.

But one book pointed out egglaying is stressful and they are born with
a set number of egg "seeds," 1,000 was the number given although
not every seed will sprout. So what's the rush? Longterm the egg yield will
be about the same and less stress means healthier birds

Disclaimer-We don't really eat a lot of eggs and consider chickens as fun backyard pets
so the egg part, tho cool, is not a major factor.

 

[lburress]

I'm at 24 weeks 2 days and still counting...I can't wait! I need and egg from my girls. o.k. I guess I don't have a choice.

 

[pokemonshop]

They sometimes lay there first egg late .

But when they lay eggs you will be suprised ( it was like that in my flock ) .

 

[Feather_wrangler]

No eggs yet 9 EE hens---1 EE Roo---24 weeks worth of feed--- But who's counting.

 

[pgpoultry]

Well.....Brahma girls aged 33 weeks.....and not looking like they're nearly ready yet. I may have to wait until next Spring.

I don't even think this is odd. The better quality birds seem to be VERY late in starting to lay.

 

[JodyJo]

My Australorp started at 18 weeks...the rest followed in suit...I still have 3 EE pullets at 22 weeks, and no eggs.
Each chicken is different...what do their wattles look like, are they very red?
I would think you are about to get some eggs very soon.....

 

[Feather_wrangler]

Judging by their coloring and lack of combs most of my Amer (EE) are still pretty immature. Although, I do have one that is squatting.
When I got them on 5/29/11 they had very small wing feathers. Otherwise I am guessing 23+ weeks old. Also, tho I ordered Ameraucanas I am guessing that these are non-standard, otherwise EE. Love the mutts anyway.

Most are like these two

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My big girl

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Rocky and his best girl (in front of him )

The squatter

They are quite unhappy today. Pheasant season started today so it's lock-up.

 

[readjulie]

None of our hens have laid before 6 months.

 

[flyjam1979]

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.

10am? do you mean pm?​