38 weeks old and never layed an egg

[PearlTheDuck]

My 38 week old Sicilian Buttercup, Junebug, has never layed an egg, she acts healthy but could something be wrong with her?

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

Chickens may take a very long time before they lay their first egg. Are her combes and wattles red? How wide are her pelvic bones? Is she squatting yet?

 

[PearlTheDuck]

Chickens may take a very long time before they lay their first egg. Are her combes and wattles red? How wide are her pelvic bones? Is she squatting yet?

Heres a pic of her, her comb isn't very red. She squats quite a bit

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

Do you let them free range during the day? Also, she is very pretty!

 

[Mary's Backyard Chickens]

That's only 9 months. Chickens don't usually start laying eggs until they are about 10-12 months old. It's normal. She is getting very close to laying eggs if she is squatting often. Also, she is pretty!

 

[PearlTheDuck]

Do you let them free range during the day? Also, she is very pretty!

Thank you i let them free range about twice a week, depending on the weather

 

[PearlTheDuck]

That's only 9 months. Chickens don't usually start laying eggs until they are about 10-12 months old. It's normal. She is getting very close to laying eggs if she is squatting often. Also, she is pretty!

Ok great! Thanks

 

[Killer Tomato]

If she's squatting, it could be any day now. Mine usually began laying within 2 weeks of beginning the squat.

We've found that by posting her picture on here, the "chicken shaming" seems to get them laying within a month. Let's see if this scientific method holds true with your girl!

 

[venymae]

As far as I have read, and with my own chickens, they start to lay around 6-7 months of age, though ornamental breeds can take longer. There are several ways to tell if your chicken is laying or close to laying.

1. Her Comb and Wattle will change from pink to red
2. Check her vent. A tight dry vent = no eggs. A moist loose vent = eggs.
3. Her abdomen should be soft and supple instead of firm
4. Pelvis will be nice and wide
5. She will start squatting (not a 100% sign, but usually in the egg laying favor!)

If your girl is free ranging there is a good chance she will not lay in the nestbox and will instead hide her nest so that only God or small children can find it (seriously, kids find everything!)

 

[PearlTheDuck]

As far as I have read, and with my own chickens, they start to lay around 6-7 months of age, though ornamental breeds can take longer. There are several ways to tell if your chicken is laying or close to laying.

1. Her Comb and Wattle will change from pink to red
2. Check her vent. A tight dry vent = no eggs. A moist loose vent = eggs.
3. Her abdomen should be soft and supple instead of firm
4. Pelvis will be nice and wide
5. She will start squatting (not a 100% sign, but usually in the egg laying favor!)

If your girl is free ranging there is a good chance she will not lay in the nestbox and will instead hide her nest so that only God or small children can find (seriously, kids find everything!)

Ok thanks so much!