24 weeks old and no eggs yet

[Molly Bee]

Is this normal? My first flock was when we lived in NH (left them with the house we sold) and they began laying eggs around 20 weeks. We are in Eastern NC and got chicks in June. They will be 24 weeks old tomorrow but I have yet to see any eggs. I have 2 Buff Orpingtons (I heard they are slower in starting), 3 NH Reds (I had these before) and 2 Easter Eggers ( also had these). Is it the weather getting cooler and the daylight hours shorter? Could it be placement of the roosting boxes? I am using milk crates which have nesting pads in them and are about 3 ft off the ground on a shelf and easily accessible. Everyone is healthy and I free range them about 4-6 hrs/day. I have a big shed converted to a coop with a closed in run. They are on layer feed now, too.

 

[azygous]

Some larger breeds won't start laying until eight or nine months. Easter Eggers are typically slow to start, too. Six months and not laying is nothing to be worried about.

Yes, the days are probably too short for the laying hormones to be triggered. When I raise summer chicks, I don't expect them to begin laying until after January when the days are getting longer.

 

[twendt]

I live in Wisconsin, much colder, my 24 wk old Barred Rocks are laying. Not sure if your girls are just not ready yet. I do the chicken handshake with them, I think it stimulates them to lay, even though I'm a Mama, LOL.

 

[Molly Bee]

I live in Wisconsin, much colder, my 24 wk old Barred Rocks are laying. Not sure if you're girls are just not ready yet. I do the chicken handshake with them, I think it stimulates them to lay, even though I'm a Mama, LOL.

It may be a stupid question but what is the chicken handshake?

 

[aart]

Some larger breeds won't start laying until eight or nine months. Easter Eggers are typically slow to start, too. Six months and not laying is nothing to be worried about.

Yes, the days are probably too short for the laying hormones to be triggered. When I raise summer chicks, I don't expect them to begin laying until after January when the days are getting longer.

Ditto Dat^^^

It may be a stupid question but what is the chicken handshake?

Guessing this means putting a hand on their back and they squat. They will squat if ready, it won't stimulate them to be ready to lay.

 

[Molly Bee]

Thank you!

 

[twendt]

It may be a stupid question but what is the chicken handshake?

It's kinda silly, but, when they squat I stroke the base of their tail, like I'm a rooster. (Don't judge me, I think it works)

 

[rosemarythyme]

24 weeks is still early-ish for those breeds to start, that in combination with reduced daylight means they're unlikely to start until after solstice, so possibly won't see eggs until Jan/Feb.

If you suspect they might be laying already (squatting, bright red combs/wattles) it's also possible they're laying while free ranging.

 

[Molly Bee]

It's kinda silly, but, when they squat I stroke the base of their tail, like I'm a rooster. (Don't judge me, I think it works)

LOL!

 

[Molly Bee]

24 weeks is still early-ish for those breeds to start, that in combination with reduced daylight means they're unlikely to start until after solstice, so possibly won't see eggs until Jan/Feb.

If you suspect they might be laying already (squatting, bright red combs/wattles) it's also possible they're laying while free ranging.

Ok thnx for the info. They seem to stay close to each other and I have limited their free range time a bit lately since they jumped into the dog yard and two of them got injured (missing a few feathers and a slight limp), though they will be fine. My Dachshunds think they are play toys. Thanks for the help everybody!