23 weeks and Still NO Eggs.

[FeatherstoneFrm]

Patience grasshopper. Mine are almost 40 weeks and no eggs. Shorter days and all.

This makes me feel better. I have a NHR that is not laying around 38 weeks.
My littles are 28 weeks, EE, Appenzeller, and silkie. I'm not expecting anything from them until spring.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

As for chickens that lay early my golden comets started laying at 16 weeks! It was the best day ever

 

[ronott1]

As for chickens that lay early my golden comets started laying at 16 weeks! It was the best day ever

Winter makes point of lay later for all breeds.

This time of year we need to even more patient.

 

[Beccaria]

Of my EE's 2 started at 24ish weeks and 1 started at 26. From what I've read they take their sweet time getting there so I wasn't expecting anything til spring with the light dwindling.

 

[BigATC]

I have Orpingtons, Brahmas, Wyandottes, Plymouth Rocks, and EEs all coming up on 17 weeks. Most are supposed to be winter hardy and so was hoping for earlier eggs. Any ideas on who will be first and when(ish)? Thanks!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

What breeds do you have ? 23 weeks is early for many breeds to mature. @ronott1 makes a relevant point.

Some breeds mature earlier than other breeds and thus begin laying sooner. However no chicken breed or strain ever catches up for lost time and lays enough eggs to make up for their slow start in life.

Welcome to the world of "heritage chicken breeds"

The truth of the matter is that very seldom will a heritage breed lay enough eggs in a timely enough manner for that so called "HERITAGE" breed or strain to perpetuate its self naturally. Some so called HERRITAGE or SUSTAINABLE breed of chicken that is LOL.

The above is based on a hen only laying one egg every other day which translates to that hen producing only 7 eggs in any two week period before her eggs lose the ability to develop or hatch. Some people will fall for anything.

 

[ronott1]

I have Orpingtons, Brahmas, Wyandottes, Plymouth Rocks, and EEs all coming up on 17 weeks. Most are supposed to be winter hardy and so was hoping for earlier eggs. Any ideas on who will be first and when(ish)? Thanks!

Post pictures of their combs and wattles.

Usually it is:

Squatting for you--This is what they do for mating with a rooster is a couple of weeks before laying.

Practicing the egg song is usually a week before laying

Ripping up the next box is usually several days before the first egg

 

[BigATC]

Post pictures of their combs and wattles.

Usually it is:

Squatting for you--This is what they do for mating with a rooster is a couple of weeks before laying.

Practicing the egg song is usually a week before laying

Ripping up the next box is usually several days before the first egg

Thanks for the tips. I'll see what I can do on the pics.... does the squatting behavior happen if you approach them or when you pet/touch the back?

 

[ronott1]

Thanks for the tips. I'll see what I can do on the pics.... does the squatting behavior happen if you approach them or when you pet/touch the back?

It happens both ways--If you have a cockerel, they wild do the squat for him and not you though

 

[BigATC]

It happens both ways--If you have a cockerel, they wild do the squat for him and not you though

No Roos 'round these parts. Trying some pics. The Orpingtons seemed to be most photogenic! Again, all will be 17 weeks on Mon and I recall one of them kind of squatting when I put my hand on her back.