25 weeks old, and nothing to show for it!

[BasicallyHeather]

My four black australorp ladies are now 25 weeks old, and freeloading their fluffy butts off! I keep hoping that I will peek into the coop one afternoon and find a lovely brown egg, but I am beginning to think it won't happen.

Sigh. /endrant

 

[chicmom]

Heather, I'm also in Ohio, and this is pretty normal. With the daylight hours getting much shorter, that affects egglaying. Just take a look at your pullets. Are their combs getting redder looking? Do they squat when you pet them? If so, they're about ready to lay.....25 weeks isn't bad at all.

Another thought: Do you let them free range? Could they be hiding their eggs?

Your first egg will happen! It will!

Sharon

 

[BasicallyHeather]

Thanks so much for the reply.

They have had very red faces, combs, and wattles for about four weeks now. One is squatting, and I have seen our roo mount one of the hens (not sure which, as they all look alike! Ha!). She seemed pretty willing.

They do free-range all day. They have a well established routine in terms of where they go during the day, and I have checked all of their spots for possible hidden nests. So far, I've found nothing! They range with one other hen and two roos. The other hen is a different breed, and she has been laying for about five weeks now. She goes into the coop and lays right on the nest like a good girl.

I am hoping that her knowledge rubs off on the others!

 

[chicmom]

Maybe you could keep them locked up for half the day, just until you see some eggs. About a week of that will establish good nesting habits. Sounds like they are ready for sure!

 

[The Burg Peeps]

I would try hanging a light in the coop to simulate daylight since it is late fall and they may not lay. Good Luck.

 

[nurseshelly]

My Blue Ameracauna is 30 weeks old and no eggs yet either, I want a blue egg!!!

Her comb just turned bright red last week, so hopefully soon. She did hop up and look at the nest box a few times last week, but not restless - trying to find a place to lay an egg like my other hens were just before laying. So I bet I have a few more weeks.

 

[Wynette]

Quote:
I personally, FWIW, do not recommend this as it messes up their systems something fierce. You really don't want them to begin too early, even though you can't wait for those first eggs! If they take their time "up front," you end up with less potential issues later (such as eggbound, or internal laying).

 

[TheJuan-n-Only]

I got my 1st egg @ 26 weeks...soooo long ago.....LAST WEEK! lol I feel your pain!!! just hand in there....it will come....so Far 3 in 1 week from my 26 week old.....I have 2 more @ 24 weeks....so technically I'm still waiting...and we wont even talk about my 2 babies! lol


Good luck!!

 

[CockadoodlePoo]

One of my RIR hens, Lilly, (30 weeks old) has been laying for months now, but her sister, Millie, just laid her first egg today! They are both the same age and I was beginning to wonder what was wrong. Super excited to get the first egg.

 

[Alethea]

Ruthie laid her first egg yesterday. She's 31 weeks old and her broodmates have been laying since September. Some just take longer than others. It's worth the wait.