Nearly 7 month old Brahma still not laying eggs?

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I know that Brahmas take longer to lay because they are slower maturing, so I'm not too concerned, but this is really late... I mean, all my other pullets (different breeds) started laying months ago. Is this normal? She is acting totally normal, so I think she is healthy otherwise. Does anyone have a picture of a Dark Brahma's egg so that I can recognize it as hers when she starts laying? Is this abnormal for the breed?
Also, a little off topic, but would a Brahma generally make a good broody mama? I think it would be really cool to have her raise chicks next spring, but that topic is for another thread...

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

What's the weather like where you are? Ours are starting to molt early this year but our new girls just started laying ariund 6 months.

We have lights and buffs and they laid anywhere from 6-8 months. We have pink, speckled pink, a tan-ish cream, and a very light brown/tan from these.

Does she have fluffy bloomers?

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

Does she have fluffy bloomers?

What is that?

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

What's the weather like where you are? Ours are starting to molt early this year

It has been in the 70's, and mostly mid 60's. Here is our weather this week, to give you an idea. Its been sunny, but this week will rain a lot. I think one of my older hens might be molting, because her neck is missing some feathers...

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

It might not be as much about weather but more about length of days. Without a certain amount of a daylight chickens will really slow down in the fall…or not start up at all. I suspect that’s a big part of it. I’m further south than you and some of mine haven’t started laying either.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

What is that?

Her bottom, the feathers on their hind end will turn fluffier as they approach laying. I just call them bloomers, they look like they wear old time under garments lol.

Have a picture of her?

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

Her bottom, the feathers on their hind end will turn fluffier as they approach laying. I just call them bloomers, they look like they wear old time under garments lol.

Have a picture of her?

I do! Will these work?

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

Id say she'll be laying soon, or she's been laying elsewhere. From what i can see of her face, she is red, which is another sign

 

[NatJ]

Does anyone have a picture of a Dark Brahma's egg so that I can recognize it as hers when she starts laying?

No picture at the moment, but I would expect it to be a fairly normal "brown" egg: not standing out as unusually dark or light or big or small or round or pointy or anything like that. Of course the first eggs will be smaller than the later eggs, just like with any other pullet.

If her egg happens to match what one of your other pullets lays, and if they happen to lay on alternate days, you might not notice when she does start laying (until they both lay one day and you get two eggs of whatever type that is.)

Even if you can't recognize eggs, you can often recognize layers this way:

Article 'Who is Laying.....and Who is Not? Butt Check!'

I've typed this out many times in the past few days, so decided to put it in an article so I can link it in responses. Got pullets newly laying and not sure who is laying and who is not? This also applies to older birds. Under the tail will tell the true tale, so part those fluffy feathers and...

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• Nov 6, 2017
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I know that Brahmas take longer to lay because they are slower maturing, so I'm not too concerned, but this is really late... I mean, all my other pullets (different breeds) started laying months ago.

If a pullet does not start to lay before the days get short for the fall & winter, it is fairly common for her to wait until spring. Not every pullet does this-- I've had some start in late November and early December, when the days are as short as they get-- but it is pretty common.