Chickens not laying yet, need assistance.

[jnicholes]

Hi everyone,

I have the following chickens.

1 Austra White
2 Golden Sex Links
2 Rhode Island Reds
2 Amber White
2 Barred Plymouth Rocks
2 Amaraucanas
2 Buff Orpingtons

As far as I know, all of them are hens. I say this because I haven’t heard any crowing. I also haven’t seen any rooster behavior.

All of them are 18 weeks old today, however, I think there is a problem. None of my chickens are laying eggs yet. I don’t know if it’s too early for them or if I’m doing something wrong.

Can someone help me figure this out?

If you need pictures and more details, I will get them for you.

Regards,

Jared

 

[JacinLarkwell]

That's pretty early for most birds, especially the ameraucanas.

 

[jnicholes]

That's pretty early for most birds, especially the ameraucanas.

Well, that explains it. Thank you so much. It’s only my second time raising chickens, so I appreciate the help.

 

[WingItRanch]

Hang in there! I have 6 different breeds, 11 females and 1 male. All are 22 weeks old. None are laying eggs. The cockerel isn't even crowing yet.

They're just taking their sweet time maturing.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Thirteen pullets 18 weeks old. Breeds and mixes that typically lay pretty well. You are in Idaho so sunrise was 7:05 and sunset will be 8:05 so a 13 hour long day. The days are getting shorter but they are probably not short enough yet to have that much of an effect. The fall equinox should be here in a bit over two weeks though.

It is possible for a pullet to start laying at 16 weeks but that is pretty rare. I've had some take 9 months before they started but again that is fairly rare. Each chicken is an individual so you don't know what any specific one will do.

You don't get guarantees with any of this, especially with days rapidly getting shorter. Some may wait until the days start getting longer in the spring to start, but I think you will start seeing eggs soon. My guess is that you will see one or two eggs in the next couple of weeks. By the time they are 23 to 24 weeks old you might have half of them laying. By the time they are 27 to 28 weeks old the ones that are going to lay before the days start getting longer in the spring should be laying.

Most of the ones that start laying this fall should continue laying all winter and keep laying until the molt next fall. They may not lay a lot of eggs during winter due to the short days but they should lay some.

I could be way off on any of this. Each chicken is an individual and each flock has its own dynamics. But I think you will be pleased in a few weeks. Let us know how it goes.

Good luck!

 

[jnicholes]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...atting-when-i-approach.1639570/#post-28004046

I spoke too soon.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

we wanta see eggs when you get some, Jared!

 

[Mrs. K]

When their combs turn painfully, swollen bright red - you have 3-4 weeks to go. When they start to squat - 2-3 weeks to go. So while that post said soon, probably not tomorrow.

Generally speaking about the time you give up all hope, 2 weeks later they lay.

As ridge runner says, the shortened days might play havoc with your plans. Generally speaking kind of sort of, if you can get them to lay before October-ish, you should get a few eggs all winter...but do know, I have had pullets that did not come into lay until mid January as the days start to lengthen.

They may not lay a lot of eggs during winter due to the short days but they should lay some.

Even if they do lay, they will not lay every day.

Mrs K

 

[jnicholes]

When their combs turn painfully, swollen bright red - you have 3-4 weeks to go. When they start to squat - 2-3 weeks to go. So while that post said soon, probably not tomorrow.

Generally speaking about the time you give up all hope, 2 weeks later they lay.

As ridge runner says, the shortened days might play havoc with your plans. Generally speaking kind of sort of, if you can get them to lay before October-ish, you should get a few eggs all winter...but do know, I have had pullets that did not come into lay until mid January as the days start to lengthen.



Even if they do lay, they will not lay every day.

Mrs K

Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s not gonna be tomorrow. Regardless, I’m gonna keep my eyes peeled and be ready for when it does happen.

I’ll post pictures when I get the first egg.

 

[gwright6]

Hi everyone,

I have the following chickens.

1 Austra White
2 Golden Sex Links
2 Rhode Island Reds
2 Amber White
2 Barred Plymouth Rocks
2 Amaraucanas
2 Buff Orpingtons

As far as I know, all of them are hens. I say this because I haven’t heard any crowing. I also haven’t seen any rooster behavior.

All of them are 18 weeks old today, however, I think there is a problem. None of my chickens are laying eggs yet. I don’t know if it’s too early for them or if I’m doing something wrong.

Can someone help me figure this out?

If you need pictures and more details, I will get them for you.

Regards,

Jared

Yep I agree. I have girls born in February and they are still not laying