Are my chickens duds?

[Jenab26]

I have 9 hens that are now 25/26 weeks old. Variety of breeds, barred rocks, buff orpingtons, speckled Sussex.. a couple have had bright red Combs for about 6/8 weeks now. They are eating laying crumble and are offered a variety of free ranging and fruit/veggie snacks each day. Not one egg yet. I also have one bantam that was laying at her previous home (she's a rescue..not sure of age) she did not go through a moult this year. She hasn't layed and has been with us since early Sept. I know days have been shorter but is there anything I am doing wrong or need to do at this point? My husband is starting to call them freeloaders and I'm getting nervous we may not get any eggs from these girls! Our buff orpington roo is doing his job as well...
Pic of one of my barred rock girls from about a month ago, and a pic of a couple of them from 2 weeks ago. Roo is same age and has completely filled out!

 

[Cyprus]

I think it is daylight hours more than anything else.
Most of winter we weren't getting any eggs. Not even from our Leghorns.
Just recently a brown egger and an easter egger or two just started to pick up as it got warmer and days got longer (after the solstice).

 

[PirateGirl]

They could lay tomorrow, they could lay in 2 months, you never know with pullets! My first girl just started to lay about 4 days ago after their winter break, so far everyone else is still on strike!

 

[Ribh]

I got my 5 girls @ POL, all round about the same age. Two layed in the first few days, one within a month, one took about 6 weeks & the last was freeloading for nearly 3 months even though she wanted to lay. Each chook is individual.

 

[Jenab26]

I think it is daylight hours more than anything else.
Most of winter we weren't getting any eggs. Not even from our Leghorns.
Just recently a brown egger and an easter egger or two just started to pick up as it got warmer and days got longer (after the solstice).

Good to hear, we do not have a light in the coop so hopefully they will start laying soon, they are more like pets, but some eggs would be nice!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I had the same fear with my first batch, that they were duds and would never lay! But some breeds take longer to mature than others, and coming to maturity in winter delays it.

Are those photos recent? If so, the hens likely aren't ready yet, the combs are still pale and not filled out.

 

[Doc7]

No
They are not duds.

26 weeks isn’t old.

 

[Charlenesmom]

I got a rescue RIR this year and she started laying on Dec.6th. She has produced an egg almost every day since.
I think she’s about 6-7 months old. Rhode Island Reds are known for laying in the winter, they are cold hardy. I also keep a light on for her in our garage, where she is living temporarily. She either has direct daylight when she’s outside or artificial light if she’s locked in the garage if the weather is bad, so light all day, they say 14 hrs is best for laying. At night I just cover the dog crate she sleeps in with a blanket, she quiets right down in the dark.
I’ve heard some breeds just don’t lay in the winter. I love my RIR. I never cared if she gave eggs, but they are a wonderful treat. I’m new at all of this, but am learning, lol.

 

[Jenab26]

I had the same fear with my first batch, that they were duds and would never lay! But some breeds take longer to mature than others, and coming to maturity in winter delays it.

Are those photos recent? If so, the hens likely aren't ready yet, the combs are still pale and not filled out.

These photos are from a few weeks ago, it's so hard to get a good pic, my barred rock are turning very red

 

[Stepnout]

I have two that did not start laying until 30-36 weeks