A watched hen...

[Dcherie13]

I know a watched hen never lays But I have 7 23 week old hens, a mix of Rhode Island Reds, Dominiques, Silver Cuckoo Marans and Easter Eggers. I have one mixed breed that is 8 months old. None of them are laying! I know wish the shorter days it might take them a bit but I feel like at least one of my RIRs should be laying! Pics below for comb and waddle reference...I have one that is very mature looking.

Is there anything I can do to help move things along?

 

[venymae]

If they hadn't started laying before the shorter days came, they will most likely wait until Spring to start laying.

 

[imnukensc]

Give it a couple more weeks. At least one, but I think two, of my nearly 6 month old BRs just started laying a few days ago. Do you free range? Sure they're not laying somewhere you don't know about? I'm on a little over 2 acres, but I found my first three eggs in the neighbor's weeds. Seems I've got them trained to the nest box now since my last three eggs have come from there.

 

[aart]

Do you free range? Sure they're not laying somewhere you don't know about?

Ditto Dat^^^

Might need to confine them if the following exam shows they are laying:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

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.

Oh, and....FYI:
Semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks or months is always a good thing to note.

 

[Dcherie13]

Ditto Dat^^^

Might need to confine them if the following exam shows they are laying:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

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.

Oh, and....FYI:
Semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks or months is always a good thing to note.

Thanks for the clarification, i wasn’t sure how long they are referred to as pullets! Back when they were 18-19 weeks I confined them for a week or two but they weren’t ready then. At least one or two have them have pelvic bones wide enough. We do free range them and we have a lot of woods but I scout periodically and have never found eggs. We do have nesting boxes open with golf balls, just waiting for eggs!

Any tips on supplemental lighting to see if that helps get them going?

 

[aart]

At least one or two have them have pelvic bones wide enough. We do free range them and we have a lot of woods but I scout periodically and have never found eggs.

Best to confine them if you want those egg laid in the coop nests....my previous post explains how and why. Hopefully you have a big enough coop and run for the number of birds you have that it won't be too stressful for them.

It's best IMO to ramp up lighting slowly and a timer should be used for consistency.
Any drastic changes in light may have undesirable effects.
Here's a pretty good article on supplemental lighting.