Can Buff Orpingtons lay at 14 weeks?

[QuailQT]

For brown egg layers, I have 5 older hens-a Buff Orpington cross (5 toes), 2 SLW, a RIR and 5 (I believe) 14-week old Buff orpington hens.

None of my older hens EVER lay eggs anywhere other than a nest box. I walked in the coop tonight and was really surprised to find a small pinkish tan egg laying right in front of the door! It seemed like an offering, similar to a cat leaving a mouse at your door.

Could it be possible that one of the 14 wk old BO layed it? I have an older BO cross and they are the same size as she is now and the egg was very similar in size and color to hers. It wasn't her's though. I already gathered her egg that she had layed in the box earlier.

I don't think that it was the SLW because it was shaped different and the coloring was like my BO's. Plus, one of them has been hanging out in the coop by herself when the others are outside scratching around. I thought that was kind of weird, but just thought that was her personality. They also like to lay down right by the door where I found the egg.

Another odd thing is that they don't roost at night. I've never understood that. They have places to roost. Will they eventually?
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What do you think? Is it possible at 14 weeks for them to lay? They are on laying feed since they are in with the others, plus I've been giving them lots of earthworms the last few days. Extra protein....

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

I have orpingtons as well, I have never heard of a pullet that young laying an egg. Are you sure it isnt a "fart egg" they are smallish usually and a chicken can lay them the same day they lay their eggs. My grandkids love to find them they collect them and dry them out.

 

[QuailQT]

I read somewhere that it is possible for them to lay as early as 16 weeks. I know it isn't 16 weeks yet, but they started getting red in the face a couple of weeks ago, though they aren't completely red like my BO cross yet.

I just can't figure out who else it might be. My Campine has only ever laid 1 white egg for me, my RIR isn't laying at all and when she does lay, they are long eggs and my SLW don't lay that color. They are more of a light tan/beige with no pinkish at all and they have specks in them.

This egg didn't have any spots and was just beautiful. I hope that it was one of them!

 

[jaimslee4u]

I think my girls started at 20 wks. Be patient they will lay.

 

[mdbokc]

I have 10 BO crosses that started at 17-18 weeks. Very happy with them.