Black Sex Link taking FOREVER to start laying

[asteria819]

Hey all. I have a Black Sex Link hen who hatched near the end of July. She is 6 months now. Not laying yet!! I know every hen will mature at their own pace and lay when they are ready, but our RIR started laying before she did (we got them at the same time as baby chicks, same age). Aren't sex links supposed to lay generally pretty early? She her comb and wattles are pretty red as you can see, but she is still SO darn flighty and has yet to squat for us. I feel like I'm venting more than anything lol but I'm looking forward to her eggs and they're just not a-coming! I suppose it's also wintertime. Maybe she's holding out for warmer weather. I don't blame ya girl.

 

[chrissynemetz]

The days are beginning to get longer... spring is coming.
Hang in there, I don't think you'll have to wait too long before she's giving you eggs.

 

[Lizzy733]

She may be waiting for longer days ... but being flighty, she could also be hiding eggs. Is she contained or free-ranging? Have you noticed any mood swings or an uptick in noisiness within the last few weeks?
On the plus side, the later they start, the later they'll stop... so if you don't 'need' eggs at the moment, it can be seen as a good thing in the long run.

 

[asteria819]

She may be waiting for longer days ... but being flighty, she could also be hiding eggs. Is she contained or free-ranging? Have you noticed any mood swings or an uptick in noisiness within the last few weeks?
On the plus side, the later they start, the later they'll stop... so if you don't 'need' eggs at the moment, it can be seen as a good thing in the long run.

All our girls free range, but we do search the backyard somewhat frequently for any rogue eggs and have yet to discover any. No mood changes, she’s acted exactly the same since we’ve had her: flighty. She definitely makes some noise though! Haven’t heard an egg song from her though that we think. Oh well. I’m just impatient despite already having some laying girls LOL. I just love our eggs and am excited to see what we get everyday!

 

[aart]

All our girls free range, but we do search the backyard somewhat frequently for any rogue eggs and have yet to discover any.

That bird certainly looks like she's laying.

Might be time for an exam:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Then maybe:
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[asteria819]

That bird certainly looks like she's laying.

Might be time for an exam:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Then maybe:
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

Since I posted this her comb has gotten a little bigger and has a new little wrinkle/ripple in it so I think she is still making her way to laying, but this is all very useful information that I'm sure I can utilize in the future since I do have a few chicks right now, thank you!!