A Late Layer or Something Else ???

[Ms Grit]

Well, today my daughter brought in a "First" egg from one of my Rhode Island Reds, or what appears to be a "First" egg. The confusing thing is that during the summer, I added three new girls to my henhouse (I now have 8 hens and 1 rooster) and they were 16-18 weeks old at the time, which would put my youngest hens at approx 40 weeks old. The egg is about twice the size of a quarter, the same size as most of the other "Firsts" we have gotten. It seems to me that 40 weeks old would be late for a first egg, isn't it?

 

[CMV]

It's a bit on the late side, but within normal limits. We are spoiled by all those early laying production breeds out there, so we expect all birds to start laying young. I just had a new layer start. That layer would be about 48 weeks old. She is a late bloomer.

Enjoy the new eggs.

 

[LeezyBeezy]

One of my hens born in May just layed her fist egg today, and one of her "siblings" still hasn't... I'm patient!

 

[Ms Grit]

Thanks for your responses. I am only 3 years into this and do still have some of my original girls, so I don't add newbies very often.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I agree. My latest layer so far has been at 38 1/2 weeks. Two of em actually, dark brahmas.