At what age do Black Australorps begin to lay their first eggs???

[TwoCrows]

My Aussie girls are 17 weeks old tomorrow. They are just now beginning to get their combs and wattles in and a couple of the girls are beginning to get red in the combs and wattles just a bit. I am going thru 50 pounds of chick starter a month and I am down to my last bag. So I am not sure if I need another bag.

So my question is, at what week should I start to see some eggs?

Thanks...Leyla

 

[SIMPleChick]

At 17 weeks you can have them on lay feed now, they can start laying at any time now!

 

[Artemis Fowl]

Probably in a few weeks.

 

[swmalone]

I would go ahead and switch to layer feed. I would love to see pictures of your australorps. I have one that is 16 weeks and she still has a tiny comb and waddles and hardly any red.

 

[TwoCrows]

Quote:
Here they are this past weekend. The girl in the middle, Pearl is really getting her comb and wattles in now!

 

[swmalone]

Nice looking birds and that stump they are on is a great idea. I have such a small yard that I can't build a big coop so I have one of those chicken arks that I move around the yard, but I do let them run around in the evening. I might have to find an old stump like that. My buff orpington has huge comb and waddles that are getting bright red, I think my black australorp is just a little behind yours.

 

[TwoCrows]

Thanks for all the great replies! Yes, they do love to climb around on that burly log. I see them up there every evening. There is also an old wooden ladder in the back that they like to perch on too.

Well, I will keep my eyes open for my first egg! I am so excited already and I am sure I will burst with joy when I eventually find it!

Thanks all....Leyla

 

[meowmmy65]

My Australorp just turned 14 weeks and her comb and wattle is already getting reddish - more so than my other 5 hens who are the same age. I think she will be my first to lay. I'll have to see if I can find a picture. It's so exciting. I can't wait to get my first eggs!

 

[goldtopper]

This is Alexis at 22 weeks. She's now 26 weeks, comb and wattles much bigger and brighter. She has not laid yet and just started squatting a few days ago.

 

[Nonny]

My three started laying after about 26/27 weeks.