9 month old Ameraucana's not laying!

[_thelaurent]

Pics for reference.

My girls were born in January. They free range a couple of hours a day, have access to plenty of food and water, and are happy friendly birds. Now, I know they may not even be ameraucana's, but this is late for any breed. One of my girl's combs just got a little bigger and super red (her sister is behind her with her mini pink comb) Neither are roosters. It's fall here in NJ. Is it possible they won't lay until the spring?

 

[Melky]

Possibly!

 

[AGirlAndHerChickens03]

It is odd that they wouldn't be laying yet. The cold weather and molting season might have an affect on them. Sometimes chickens just lay late, though. One of my Silkie girls didn't lay until she was four years old. I'm not saying that it'll happen to you, but they could just be a bit late to laying.
From what you've said I think it's safe to say that they aren't sick or anything. Your girls look perfectly healthy. Possible stress, perhaps?
It's possible for hens to first start laying in the fall or winter, so don't give up on them if they don't lay before the cold sets in.

 

[slordaz]

something that might help is more protein, my started about 9 months of age, but the flock was on flock raiser due to roosters in the flock and was fall, they ended up laying until Christmas Eve without any added light or heat added but lost a lot of eggs if wasn't out gathering em as soon as laid due to freezing, my RIR flock I currently have didn't loose more than the first freeze days eggs even at -30 temps one of the hens stayed on all the eggs until someone got out there to gather them, as they pretty much liked to be down in the straw instead and all of them laid in one place

 

[Melky]

Don’t worry they will either lay late or wait till spring because they are maturing at a time when they go through a juvenile molt and going into winter which does not provide as much daylight hours. In cooler environments this may have an impact. Hang in there you probably have a breed that matures around 24-28 weeks anyway and time of maturity being late in the season in a cooler environment is having an impact. Just make sure on good diet and free choice oyster shell and poultry grit. Patience is a virtue. It will be worth the wait.

 

[Evelyn's Mom]

Pics for reference.

My girls were born in January. They free range a couple of hours a day, have access to plenty of food and water, and are happy friendly birds. Now, I know they may not even be ameraucana's, but this is late for any breed. One of my girl's combs just got a little bigger and super red (her sister is behind her with her mini pink comb) Neither are roosters. It's fall here in NJ. Is it possible they won't lay until the spring?

View attachment 1543563

They sure are beautiful and healthy looking!

 

[MichelleBelle]

Is it possible that she's laying her egg unbeknownst to you during her few hours of free range during the day?

 

[BGcoop]

Is it possible that she's laying her egg unbeknownst to you during her few hours of free range during the day?

Have you checked how far apart their pelvic bones are? More than 2 fingers apart should be close to laying is what I’ve read; and seems to be accurate for my girls that are just starting.

 

[aart]

Check pelvic points.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Do you free range?
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.