I have 1 that is 22 weeks. She is just about to lay - I imagine in another week or 2. She has just started to "assume the position" when I put my hand over her back.
Ha!!! My sister calls me Gonzo Mention one time that I want to train my chickens to do tricks and you are labled for life. I take it as a complement. I am not quite sure about Buffs. My Red Stars/Gold Stars did not start laying until 20 weeks. But, it was early summer and there was more than 14 hours of light a day. From what I understand, hens will wait to lay if they come into maturity during Fall/Winter. Something about there needing to be 14 hours of light. I am not sure if this is the case for Buffs. I thought my hybrids would not start slowing down during the winter, but they have been skipping a few days lately. So your hens might not start until Spring or late Winter. Or at the very least they will me older then 20 weeks. Maybe, a few of our experts have more info for you. DB
Mine have started laying at 23, 26 and 27 weeks. I still have one (28 weeks tomorrow) that's not laying yet.
Laying ability of buff orps tends to vary based on production strain versus better quality bred birds. Production strains can lay in 5-6 months, while others can take much longer. All birds mature at their own rate, so it's tough to put a date on a group of birds. I find that if my hens come into lay in the fall, they lay their first winter. Orpingtons do tend to be better winter layers unless they have a late fall moult, which shuts down the cycle.
