26 weeks old NO eggs

[real_redhead]

Ok, I have never had chickens wait this long to lay! All my others started laying between 18 and 22 weeks. I have 7 girls I that will be 26 weeks old tomorrow and still no eggs. Almost all have done the squat and some of them I know have been doing it for weeks. I haven't checked the bones above the vent in the last week or so but I am beginning to wonder what's going on. The girls I got in March are laying strong and have been since about 22 weeks. I am beginnig to think something is wrong. Any thoughts? I have several different breeds in the 26 week old group - dominique, EE, speckled sussex, welsummer.

 

[iluvpeeps]

Well, since it's winter and the days are getting shorter they might not be getting enough sunlight to produce any eggs yet. I think that chickens need 14 hours a of sunlight a day to lay an egg.

 

[nakstk]

Minus the Dominique we have the same breed of chickens and a similar problem. My SS were from last years hatch in July so they are just now finishing up their molt and haven't gotten back in to the swing of things. My Wellies and EE are this hatch form April 25th. My Wellies started laying at 25 and 26 weeks but my EE will be 32 weeks tomorrow and still no egg and no squatting. I did find that the Wellies squatted for nearly 2 full weeks before laying. If I remember correctly it was only a week for my SS girls but they started to lay at 18, 19, 21, and 30 weeks. The last one to lay had a bad case of impacted then sour crop. Good luck! with the egg waiting game!

 

[sumi]

I've heard of EE's laying aged 20 weeks and I've heard of one laying her first egg aged 1 year! It depends on the individual hens. They'll lay when they are ready. Just make sure they have everything they need, good food, enough light etc.

 

[TJAnonymous]

I have Buff Orpingtons, Black Australorps, Ameracaunas, and Blue Andalusians who are all 24 weeks old. Not a single egg from any of them. 19 birds in total. I assumed it is because it is winter. I also have 14 adult hens and out of those I have only been getting 2-3 eggs per day. Yesterday I got 5 so a little uptick. I'm guessing my pullets will start laying in early March. If they don't start by then, I'll begin to get concerned....

 

[MissE]

All 3 of my SS started around 30 weeks. Some breeds, especially the heritage ones, mature slower. Also, days are shorter, so if you don't supplement light, they may not lay until spring.

 

[Winter Creek Coop]

I have Buff Orpingtons, Black Australorps, Ameracaunas, and Blue Andalusians who are all 24 weeks old. Not a single egg from any of them. 19 birds in total. I assumed it is because it is winter. I also have 14 adult hens and out of those I have only been getting 2-3 eggs per day. Yesterday I got 5 so a little uptick. I'm guessing my pullets will start laying in early March. If they don't start by then, I'll begin to get concerned....

Are your birds confined or free range in the day time?

 

[Hal682]

Ok, I have never had chickens wait this long to lay! All my others started laying between 18 and 22 weeks. I have 7 girls I that will be 26 weeks old tomorrow and still no eggs. Almost all have done the squat and some of them I know have been doing it for weeks. I haven't checked the bones above the vent in the last week or so but I am beginning to wonder what's going on. The girls I got in March are laying strong and have been since about 22 weeks. I am beginnig to think something is wrong. Any thoughts? I have several different breeds in the 26 week old group - dominique, EE, speckled sussex, welsummer.

Probably soon. I have 2 27 weeks old still no eggs but the 24 week old just started laying. Soon..it's the winter messing them up daylight hours I'm sure

 

[TJAnonymous]

Are your birds confined or free range in the day time?

They are confined... However I have a pretty large chicken run that is around 35' x 150' maybe? Also around half of my young pullets routinely fly over the fence every single day and free range on their own.

I do let my chickens out to free range regularly when the weather is nice and I'm outside to keep an eye out for critters that might attack them.

 

[Winter Creek Coop]

They are confined... However I have a pretty large chicken run that is around 35' x 150' maybe? Also around half of my young pullets routinely fly over the fence every single day and free range on their own.

I do let my chickens out to free range regularly when the weather is nice and I'm outside to keep an eye out for critters that might attack them.

Some of them could be laying in a hidden nest while they are out. Look around and listen for egg songs when they over the fence