5 months and not laying!! What is wrong

[Lilbrownie]

Ok so I have 5 month old bantam Cochins who still have yet to lay any eggs!! There are 3 roosters and 11 hens!! The days here in PA are starting to get shorter and it is getting a little cooler!! Should I not be worried, it it just the environment?? I have heard that sometimes they won't lay til spring or do you this there is something else I'm missing?? Gonna put a golf ball in the nests tomorrow and I hoping that will give them incentive!! Any oth ideas??? Input please

Kathy

 

[mustangsaguaro]

Don't know much about Cochins. Are your birds from breeders or are they hatchery stock? Some birds take longer to mature/lay eggs than others. My Lavender Ameraucana didn't start laying until they were 8 or 9 months old. My Lav Splits (a visually black bird) they started when they were 6 months old. I currently have some young Orps and was told by the breeder that they won't start to lay until they are 7-8 months. So in answer to your question it all really depends on the breed and if you got them from a hatchery/feed store or a breeder. I find that hatchery birds start to lay much earlier than birds you might obtain from a breeder which in my opinion are a better quality bird. Hatcheries breed for quantity not quality. Hope this helps.

 

[Lilbrownie]

I have some hatchery and some breeder birds, and 2 of them now that I think about it are like 6 months old and they are the breeder birds!!

 

[mustangsaguaro]

I have some hatchery and some breeder birds, and 2 of them now that I think about it are like 6 months old and they are the breeder birds!!

I would contact the breeder you got them from and find out when is the normal/average amount of time it takes for them to lay. Like I said I have found if birds gotten from a breeder which are usually better quality it takes them a bit more time to mature and start laying.

 

[jedgeworth]

Will probably start around 24 to 28 weeks old

 

[donrae]

Cochins aren't known for being spectacular layers. Mine are tapering off sharply the last few weeks--older birds. They may not lay until spring.

Do you free range?
Are their combs nice and red?

 

[Lilbrownie]

Cochins aren't known for being spectacular layers. Mine are tapering off sharply the last few weeks--older birds. They may not lay until spring.

Do you free range?
Are their combs nice and red?

I wouldn't say they were bright red but they are red!! Just anxious I guess and I just wanna make sure I'm doing this all right!! I could post some pics tomorrow of their combs for you to see!! I let them free range for about 2-3 hours each evening!! Thanks