Anxious for eggs from 4.5 month olds

[Tiwanda]

I have 1 barred rock, 1 white leghorn and 2 Red Stars. They are now 4.5 months old. No eggs yet. I have had them on a hand mix of 50% grower and 50% layer feed for the past month and have switched them too 100% layer feed (16-18% protein) this week. They always have free choice grit and oyster shell. They get fruit and veggie scraps everyday and beef/pork scraps about twice a week.

As far as I can tell, they are happy and loving and squat when I pet them. They show no signs of stress that I can see. I have 4 nesting boxes, each with ceramic eggs in them.

I understand that shorter/colder days can affect egg production and of course, Virginia Beach is experiencing extreme cold weather this week (teens at night - 30s-40s in the day) Do you think I can expect an egg from one of these ladies this winter or will I be looking more towards the spring? Maybe I'm just too anxious for that 1st egg? LOL. Any Advise?

 

[Welshies]

Feeding layer has and will severely slow their growth and development. I suggest switching to maintenance feed 18% or all flock 20% feed with oyster shell on the side. Feeding layer feed to non-laying birds can also cause issues, especially in roosters.

 

[Tiwanda]

Feeding layer has and will severely slow their growth and development. I suggest switching to maintenance feed 18% or all flock 20% feed with oyster shell on the side. Feeding layer feed to non-laying birds can also cause issues, especially in roosters.

Going back to maint feed is no problem. They have only been receiving the layer feed for about 3 days. Other than that.....anything more I can be doing for them?

 

[Welshies]

Going back to maint feed is no problem. They have only been receiving the layer feed for about 3 days. Other than that.....anything more I can be doing for them?

Make sure your coop is dark enough to lay in. I had a 2.5 foot by 2 foot window in my coop, but when I covered 3 quarters of it- bam! Eggs! Be patient though. They'll lay

 

[Tiwanda]

Make sure your coop is dark enough to lay in. I had a 2.5 foot by 2 foot window in my coop, but when I covered 3 quarters of it- bam! Eggs! Be patient though. They'll lay

Thanks! I was thinking about putting up some "curtains" to cover a window and also fashioning something similar for the nesting boxes. Won't hurt to try!

 

[aart]

Do you think I can expect an egg from one of these ladies this winter or will I be looking more towards the spring? Maybe I'm just too anxious for that 1st egg? LOL. Any Advise?

Ehh...could be soon for the redstars and leghorns.
Yes, but that's normal

Going back to maint feed is no problem. They have only been receiving the layer feed for about 3 days. Other than that.....anything more I can be doing for them?

Just be patient...4.5 months is the early range of laying...and days are still short.
18-26 weeks is the average age of onset of lay for most breeds.

Here's some signs:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[h c hennery]

For reference: I'm in Northern Virginia and our Barred Rock just started laying a couple days ago at 30.5 weeks (~ 7 months). Our Golden Comet started at 22.5 weeks.

 

[Tiwanda]

For reference: I'm in Northern Virginia and our Barred Rock just started laying a couple days ago at 30.5 weeks (~ 7 months). Our Golden Comet started at 22.5 weeks.

Thanks so much! Your barred rock info is exactly what I needed to hear! (First time chicken mama here.....)

 

[Tiwanda]

It's a Cyclone Bomb Miracle! Received my 1 EGG this morning! I don't know if it was my Barred Rock or My Red Star....Don't care! So proud of how my ladies weathered the storm these past two days!

 

[happychickies101]

Congratulations!
Still waiting on my girls!