24 weeks old and still no eggs!

[LauraP]

My 3 black australorp hens are 24 weeks old now and still haven't laid a thing! It's so frustrating! Any words of wisdom to help us feel better? We're feeding them layer feed and it isn't cold here yet.

 

[Namble]

I have 30 22 week old pullets and still nothing either.

 

[Katy]

My SLWs are 27 or 28 weeks and no eggs yet. Last year some of my orps were even older when they finally started.

 

[speckledhen]

Hey, I've had several wait till over 36 weeks to lay recently, and one was about 45 weeks! Most of the breeder birds started about 30 weeks.

 

[LauraP]

We've been wondering if they were sterile, or something. Just jokingly so far, but in the back of my mind I really do worry! So it's good to hear that other ppl have late-laying chickens and it's normal. I hope they start soon, though!

 

[purpletree23]

Hey LauraP....Last night I posted that my hens are 24 weeks and not laying. I've read everything I can get my hands on and all of the books say that 21 weeks is the average time to start laying. Well, two very nice responders said that the average time is 26 weeks and not to worry. Now I read your post and I see that I could be waiting even longer and that it is normal. I'm glad to read this information because I was worried. Now I know that what I was reading was not entirely correct.

I feel much better now. Hope you do too.