Buff Orpington & Ameraucana: Tips for them to start laying.

[mksauce23]

So I have a Buff Orpington hen & an Ameraucana hen, both are approx. 24 weeks old. These are my first pair of chickens, so I'm curious about what to expect. Neither has started laying, and I was wondering if there were ways to coax it along, because based on research I have done, they are getting on the late side. It is fall, & the daylight hours are minimizing, should I set up a lamp for them to have some artificial light? My buff looks very mature. She is large & has a full red comb, she definitely looks ready. My Americauna is much smaller and still has a pink nub of a comb, although I've noticed that breed doesn't seem to develop a pronounced comb and wattle. Any tips from what to expect from my two ladies and ideas to jumpstart their reproductive cycle?

 

[Judy]

Patience. 24 weeks isn't that old to start laying. Neither of those breeds are particularly fast maturing, and 24 weeks wouldn't be that long even if they were. I know of one Ameraucana who did not start til she was a year old.

A light might (or might not) increase the number of eggs they lay in winter, but it won't start them laying any sooner. That is a matter of genetics and hormones. Actually, a light at night may interfere with their rest and therefore be somewhat stressful. Stress can cause a decrease in laying, or laying to stop.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I wouldn't worry, however I have had these breeds and mine always lay between 20-22 weeks. My EE laid at 18 weeks last year. I have never had any breed (RIR,BR, Buff O's, Wyandottes, Sex Link, EEs Welsummers) not begin laying from 20-22 weeks. I have always starting lighting on Aug. 15th however & never fed anything but chick feed and a little grass until at least 14-15 weeks, when I might give them a little scratch. I'm surprised so many have such late layers.