6 1/2 month old chickens still not laying.

[AZchickens17]

Hi there, I have 4 chickens, 2 red sex links, 1 Easter Egg, and 1 Austra White. The 2 reds started laying about 1 or 2 months ago. However, only 2 of them are laying. I thought that Austra Whites were early layers, but I guess not:/ Can anyone let me know why this might be?

Thanks!

(Also they lay on the other chickens eggs every day, and have shown many signs of being close to laying)

 

[Chicken_Guru]

Hi there, I have 4 chickens, 2 red sex links, 1 Easter Egg, and 1 Austra White. The 2 reds started laying about 1 or 2 months ago. However, only 2 of them are laying. I thought that Austra Whites were early layers, but I guess not:/ Can anyone let me know why this might be?

Thanks!

(Also they lay on the other chickens eggs every day, and have shown many signs of being close to laying)

Well, those chickens are only about 28 weeks old, give it until week 31 I'd say, then call a vet.

 

[AZchickens17]

Ok. I have heard EE's do not start until around 6/7 months, but I am mostly worried about my Austra White.

 

[AlleysChicks]

All 3 of my EEs were early layers(17-19 weeks) but I do have a 24 week old SFH that has yet to lay. Could you post pics of the birds not laying?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

What's your length of day light now?

You are in Arizona, so you are getting more light than I am, however, a growing pullet needs 12 hours of daylight to get her pituitary gland to release enough hormones to start laying.

The hybrid production layers have been genetically selected so that they have sensitive pituitaries and thus lay early. More heritage breeds take longer to develop and require more daylight.

I've had some in the same feed store batch mature and lay before fall while others waited until January.

Hens that mature for first of lay by October can go either way due to their reaction to the daylight. (The big boys actually manipulate the lighting to start laying at a particular time.)

I wouldn't worry or call any vets. I would make sure no one is laying in a hidden stash. Then be patient for those who choose to lay after the winter equinox.

LofMc

 

[AZchickens17]

We are getting a full 12 hours of daylight, and I have checked everywhere in my yard and coop, and I cannot find any hidden stashes. Here are the pictures of my two girls.

This is Buttercup, my Australorp White,

And my EE, Alice.

 

[AlleysChicks]

They are very pretty the combs have size but the color is still pretty pale I feel like.

 

[AZchickens17]

Thank you Yeah I thought their combs were still pretty pale too.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

What's your length of day light now?

You are in Arizona, so you are getting more light than I am, however, a growing pullet needs 12 hours of daylight to get her pituitary gland to release enough hormones to start laying.

The hybrid production layers have been genetically selected so that they have sensitive pituitaries and thus lay early. More heritage breeds take longer to develop and require more daylight.

I've had some in the same feed store batch mature and lay before fall while others waited until January.

Hens that mature for first of lay by October can go either way due to their reaction to the daylight. (The big boys actually manipulate the lighting to start laying at a particular time.)

I wouldn't worry or call any vets. I would make sure no one is laying in a hidden stash. Then be patient for those who choose to lay after the winter equinox.

LofMc

X2
If you wish you could use supplemental lighting to overcome the shortened daylight hours, but there us nothing medical for a vet to address

 

[andreanar]

I'm totally with you! My flock of 9 pullets are over 6 mths and not even 1 is laying! How stinking annoying! They are not even squatting. Ive never had pullets wait this long before. 1 brahma, 2 EE's, 2 salmon favs, 1 black australorp, 1 cream legbar, 1 sl Wyandotte and 1 mystery breed. Brats.