Australorp is 36 Weeks and Isn't Laying Yet

[Stephenlrb]

Hello,

In the middle of March of this year I got 3 day old chicks. The Rhode Island Red and the Buff Orpington started laying around 5 and 6 months of age however my Black Australorp is now 9 months old (36 weeks) and still she has not begun to lay. Can it be that she was just slow to start and now that it is winter, she will just delay it even longer until the spring?

Any advice would be appreciated. Im wondering if she is a dud or if this is normal behaviour in some hens.

 

[sourland]

She may very well be a slow maturing bird and not initiate laying until spring.

 

[tacothechicken]

Nope that happened to me 2 batches of chicks ago birds didnt lay till next summer they should start laying just give them time

 

[Melky]

Typically Australorps are known to lay earlier and mature earlier but frequently towards the end of spring purchases unfortunately are on the cusp of later maturing birds because maturing when goes into fall/winter when layers typically stop for the season due to decreased daylight hours. Might have to wait till spring. Need to get to breed weight about 6 lbs. and have that lovely sheen of black green feathers. Very red combs and wattles. Sitting behavior etc. that defines maturity. Don’t worry many of us in same boat. Mine will probably lay in spring. After December 21 daylight hours will start increase at end of December will be about 9.5 hours per day but need to get to 14 per day for egg production. Bigger weight birds tend to mature later as well. Good news is when she does, Australorps are said to sometimes give a few eggs in the winter once start laying. Here is hoping this is not a myth for you. I have not owned Australorps personally so could not say.

 

[Aceoky]

Does she seem/act healthy? Comb/wattles condition/color etc.

 

[PirateGirl]

Try to be patient. She will lay. Eventually. They are all on their own agenda, and the length of days has a lot to do with it. I think my last chicken laid at 11 months of age. Is this the norm, no, but she was healthy and that was the time that was right for her.