Almost 17 weeks old and still NO EGGS!!!

[Mommysongbird]

What is up with these pullets???

Our chicks will be 17 weeks old on Monday and they are still not laying. I don't know if it is the heat, stress (we have a train) or what???

How much longer should we wait? They are still on starter/grower feed, I am not sure when to switch them. I am back down to buying 25# bags again 1 at a time.

Is there anything else I can do???

 

[Jeffross1968]

That's still typically too young. You'll get a few to lay at that age, but I think it's rare. More likely 18 to 24 weeks on average.

 

[aubreynoramarie]

17 weeks is really young to begin laying. All of mine layed between 21-24 weeks. ..

 

[aggie9296]

Depends on the breed. My RSL started laying at 16-17 weeks, but they are early layers. Most other breeds seem to be 20+.

 

[Ruth Ann]

It is early yet for them...
and from what I have read here, it is better if they start later than sooner. Better for the chickens.

 

[aubreynoramarie]

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[BantamoftheOpera]

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[NonnasBabies]

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[Mommysongbird]

Thank you all for easing my concerns. I have read so much and a lot of the books I have read they have said between 14 and 20 weeks. Sooo, I am just getting anxious I guess. Getting tired of buying eggs, if I could find some 'homegrown' I would buy them instead.

A few of them are EE's and the others, well your guess would be as good as mine.

 

[aubreynoramarie]

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In my experience EEs take longer to lay