Buff Orpingtons late to lay first egg

[Spiro]

I have 11 hens that hatched middle of April. They are approaching 7 months old and no eggs yet. Has anyone had a similar experience with April hatched birds starting their laying later than "normal." From some of the older threads I have read, I was expecting to see the first eggs at around 6 months.

I wonder if the fall weather (e.g., reduced temperatures and photoperiod) is holding them back physiologically to start laying.
Any thoughts would be welcome.
Thank you in advance.

Spiro

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It's definitely the photoperiod, not the temps. Once they start laying, first year orps will lay right through winter.
If the nutrition is adequate and they don't have a disease, adding a few hours of light will kick start them.

 

[cara4x4jeeper]

I have BUFF Orpington's as well which were born the first of July. When should I expect eggs?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If you add light in December, they'll probably lay in December. If not, they may start then or may wait till February.

 

[cara4x4jeeper]

Have a heat lamp in the coop, hopefully that helps.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Not a heat lamp. They don't need heat and they need a dark period. A heat lamp is not light.
If you put a light on a timer to come on about 4 AM that will do the trick.
Light enough to read a newspaper by at roost height. A heat lamp is a waste of energy$$$

 

[NewfieMom]

I have 2 buff orps and 3 barred rock that were all hatched around April 11th. I just got my first egg 3 days ago!! I was about to give up! LOL I don't know which one is laying, but I got a perfect little brown egg 3 days in a row out of the same nest box. I guess she took today off. :/ I was beginning to think I'd never get an egg.