28 Week olds still no eggs

[Novoken]

The wait is driving us crazy haha

We have 3 lavender Orpington and 1 Easter egger that are 28 weeks old and no eggs. Anything I can do to help speed the process? We are giving them Dumor layer pellets and black fly larva as snacks. They free range about 1-2 hours a day. Help

 

[Altairsky]

Boosting protein helps. I'd give meat, fish, bolied egg twice a week.
Dumor layer pellets has 16% protein IIRC, and it's just enough for laying hens, but not enough for pullets that are still developing, so low protein might be slowing down the maturing process.

 

[WingItRanch]

Agreed! It's hard to stay patient! I just started getting eggs from my variety of breeds at 27 weeks old. There's nothing you can do to make them lay.

I do recommend keeping them on chick feed with higher protein for now. Layer feed has minimal protein and too much calcium for chickens that aren't laying eggs.

I feed mine 20% Kalmbach Flock Maker with oyster shell on the side (free choice). I don't ever plan on switching to Layer feed. Their eggs and nice and strong.

Note: not sure what part of the world you're in but if your days are getting shorter due to autumn, your pullets may wait until spring to lay. That happens sometimes.

 

[Novoken]

Oh no don’t say that. I’m in NY and it’s getting cold at nights and days are getting shorter. I do have some 12 weeks old chicks so I have the 20% chick feed so I’ll switch them back to that. Let’s see.

 

[WingItRanch]

Oh no don’t say that. I’m in NY and it’s getting cold at nights and days are getting shorter. I do have some 12 weeks old chicks so I have the 20% chick feed so I’ll switch them back to that. Let’s see.

Just guessing but I'd say your 28 week old will lay soon but your 12 week old may wait.

Are your older pullets' combs looking more red? Are they squatting? Checking out nest boxes? Unusually loud? Those were all signs right before I got eggs.

 

[Rebechenson75]

I have a question. What is squatting? I know my birds ki a squatt when they poop. Is is like that or what?

 

[WingItRanch]

I have a question. What is squatting? I know my birds ki a squatt when they poop. Is is like that or what?

Hi! No, it's a little different. When a pullet becomes "of age" to accept mating, she will squat down with her wings out for balance. It's very obvious and not like a poo squat. This squatting indicates she's ready for mating (which is also around the time she'll start laying eggs because she's sexually mature). Not all chickens will do it. If you have a rooster, they may not squat for humans because the rooster takes care of the needs.

If you see your pullets squat for you, you can give her a pat or pet on the back and she'll be happy.

 

[Rebechenson75]

Hi! No, it's a little different. When a pullet becomes "of age" to accept mating, she will squat down with her wings out for balance. It's very obvious and not like a poo squat. This squatting indicates she's ready for mating (which is also around the time she'll start laying eggs because she's sexually mature). Not all chickens will do it. If you have a rooster, they may not squat for humans because the rooster takes care of the needs.

If you see your pullets squat for you, you can give her a pat or pet on the back and she'll be happy.

Thank you for the info. New Chicken Parent here

 

[Novoken]

No eggs yet and mid 70s still outside. Switched to higher protein feed.

 

[WingItRanch]

I'm sorry! Can you share pictures of your pullets?