7 Months and No Eggs

[woolymama]

Ok, I know chickens will lay when they are good and ready.....but now I am feeling like I am doing something wrong. I have a flock of 7 month old hens - a Wynadotte, 2 Orpingtons, 1 Jersey Giant, an Ameraucana, and a Brahma and not a one of them is laying. I wasn't too worried until my neighbor - who got her cochin at the same farm on the same day (and the exact same age!!) told me her cochin has been laying for about a month now. What gives?
Incidentally I also have 2 RIR's and 4 Barred Rock girls that are 18 weeks old in a different pen and I've got zip from them as well. They get layer pellets and oyster shell, plenty of fresh water with ACV, and even rice with cod liver oil every week along with any other treats I think they'd like.
They can't be hiding the eggs because we have them in a large but enclosed pen. They are by all observations very happy and healthy. Just no eggs.
Is there anything I am missing here????

 

[woolymama]

Anything else I should be doing - or not doing?

 

[sred98]

My Welsummer was born in March and she isn't laying yet, either! Some are just late bloomers.

Shelly

 

[suzannaski]

I have the same problem, except that mine are free range. My friends' chickens have been laying eggs, and those hens are from the same farm as mine, although they are RIRs and mine are Americaunas.
I was wondering if it has to do with the amount of sunlight?

 

[The ruler of the roost]

Chickens need an average of 14 hours of "sunlight" per day. Also consider this to be a time when they are molting - which most chickens stop laying during this time. Also, make sure that you are providing them with a proper amount of nutrition (laying mash/pellets; oyster shell, etc..)

Don't be discouraged, they WILL eventually lay!

 

[sred98]

Quote:
I've heard it's not unusual for Ameraucanas to not lay til at least 6 months of age...some not until 9. Some of it does seem to be breed-specific.

Shelly

 

[ibpboo]

Give em more time. They'll surprise you one day!!

 

[Rebel Rooster]

You're doing everything right as far as I can tell from your post! I've got a few girls (McMurray Hatchery girls) that are pushing up on 7 months now and a few heritage breeds that are almost 8 months that are yet to lay... They will start any day now! Keep your head up!

 

[suzannaski]

Thanks for the moral support. Based on the thread for "when do chickens start laying", the age range for Americaunas was 14-26 weeks, and based on what the farmer who sold me the chicks said for laying, I figured they were old enough to start laying.
As for the sunlight, if I need to add to their sunlight exposure, can I use any type of light bulb? and should I have the light on a timer?
Yes, I do give them layer pellets in addition to their free range manure pile buffet.
I guess I'll let them do their thing for a while longer.
Oh- what time of day to hens lay eggs? I've heard its usually mid-morning, and I've also heard its "whenever".

ps, I love the cowgirl chicken avatar!

 

[The Zoo]

My easter egger just gave us her first egg at 29 weeks - take a long time sometimes! I wonder if that means they'll lay for a longer period of time on the other end.