6 months old pullets not laying yet

[bigz1983]

I bought 3 barred rock pullets back around July 4th they were hatched around early May so they around 6 months old now. I got them from a smaller private hatchery and I haven't got any eggs from them yet.

Is it possible because they are not commercial hatchery chickens they might take longer to lay?

There are some signs like red waddles that tell when they are ready to lay right? I posted some pics what do you guys think?

Edit: Yes I'm aware there is one cockerel in the pic

 

[sourland]

They are most likely just a slower maturing strain. They appear to be very healthy and should have a long productive life. You are aware that there is a rooster in the bunch, right ?

 

[PirateGirl]

Join the thread I started for dud chickens! We've got older chickens than that who have yet to lay an egg. You aren't alone! Your two girls look like they are getting close with those wattles.

 

[twilightgecko]

yeah, i spotted the cockerel pretty quick too.. your pullets combs and wattles should redden up soon.. also, they will squat when you go to pet them,. that is another sign they are ready to lay..

 

[kitkat5505]

One is a cockerel so you definitely won’t get any eggs from him lol. As for the others- I have 2 30 week old pullets who still aren’t laying. Some just take a bit longer. You can check the width of their pelvic bones. Under 2 finger widths apart and you still have to wait, 2-3 fingers apart will be close to laying. Also if they squat when you reach for them they are really close.

ETA: I saw from your other post you do know you have a cockerel and your 3 pullets.

 

[Morrigan]

Pretty normal. I have 4 pullets just over 24 weeks old and only one is laying. When they start checking out the nest boxes I know they are close!

 

[bigz1983]

Yes I'm aware of cockerel there are 3 pullets and one cockerel. The reason I got barred rocks is because they are a auto sexing breed

 

[jreardon1918]

Our flock of 7 were hatched around April 24th. That makes them 27 weeks. Yesterday, the final free loader laid her first egg. And it was a seven egg day. Yay! As a first time chicken person, I had hoped for the first egg around 16 weeks. A friend had warned me that was a bit optimistic. Here are the rough dates when they all started:

• RIR 20 weeks
• white plymouth rock 21 weeks
• RIR & White plymouth rock 22 weeks
• Buff Orp & Light Brama 24 weeks
• Easter egger 27 weeks

 

[Snoozeys]

Give it time ... another 4-6 weeks at most and they will be producing

 

[chickens really]

What do you feed?.....