Almost 20 weeks, no eggs.

[Mrstwoseven]

Hello everyone,
I have eight RIR hens who will be 20 weeks this Thursday (08/27) and no sign of any eggs yet. No shell-less ones or small weird ones. I believe I’m giving them/doing everything they need to lay. In your experience when did your RIR hens start to lay? Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Onset of ovulation is largely dictated by time of year. At my latitude, we are losing about 2.5 minutes of day length per day. That is a signal to shut down production.
Most breeds would be expected to begin laying at about 20-24 weeks before summer solstice but afterwards, all bets are off.
Checking the space between the pointy pelvic bones will tell you if laying is imminent.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/
"
"I believe I’m giving them/doing everything they need to lay."
What have they been fed growing up and what are they fed now?
By that I mean, crude protein %, calcium % of each feed and what treats are they getting and what percentage of total intake is made up by those things.

 

[Percheron chick]

Pour yourself another cup of coffee, sit back and put your feet up. 20 weeks is young. You might not see an egg for another month.
Post pictures of their combs and waddles and we should be able to narrow the time frame.

 

[Whigru]

My first RIR started around 19, my second was around 21 weeks.

 

[Mrstwoseven]

Onset of ovulation is largely dictated by time of year. At my latitude, we are losing about 2.5 minutes of day length per day. That is a signal to shut down production.
Most breeds would be expected to begin laying at about 20-24 weeks before summer solstice but afterwards, all bets are off.
Checking the space between the pointy pelvic bones will tell you if laying is imminent.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/
"
"I believe I’m giving them/doing everything they need to lay."
What have they been fed growing up and what are they fed now?
By that I mean, crude protein %, calcium % of each feed and what treats are they getting and what percentage of total intake is made up by those things.

 

[Mrstwoseven]

They were on Purina Start & Grow until 18 weeks, then I switched them to Purina Layena 16%. I also give them about 1oz of Purina scratch each per day (is scatter about 8oz so I don’t know who all gets what) and they get grub and meal worms here and there as treats. I also put some oyster shell in their run. I don’t know % of each treat...