Could it be time to lay already?

[Kirsti1217]

I have a Birchen maran that hatched the first week in January that is seriously submissive squatting. She’s also calmed down at lot of late enjoying petting and cooing a lot just like my others when they first came into lay. It’s only 17 weeks, could I be expecting some dark brown eggs soon? My others starting laying within a week or so of this behavior. That’s so early for a maran though?

Also in the same batch from the hatchery I got a bantam Easter Egger and got my first teeny tiny blue egg yesterday. Another super early layer? Any ideas why? Is there a down side to this as they still have a lot of growing to do? Should I be supplementing their feed? They already have layer pellets and al flock pellets as well as meal worm treats and semi free range outside.

 

[aart]

Ehhh...might be a bit early...but they have the increasing light working for them too.
Hatchery Marans are not the same as 'serious breeder' Marans.
How long have they been eating layer feed?

Tips about.....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Kirsti1217]

Thanks! I have a mixed aged coop with chickens and guineas. I have specific feeding areas for each though (and multiple roosting areas too) 1 layer feed, 1 all flock and 1 meat bird crumble. They tend to stay to their own area but obv it’s not 100%. They went outside at about 8-9 weeks and I opened up access to the rest of the coop with the adults at 12 weeks. So they’ve had access to layer feed for 4 or 5 weeks although I don’t often see them eating it. Everyone (except my EE bantam) spends most of their time foraging and I’ve been buying a lot less feed recently.

Thanks for the article. I’ll try and take some butt measurements Just want to make sure I don’t need to change something up as my others came into lay at 6-7 months. I’m not complaining though.

 

[Acre4Me]

I think it’s because their entire life so far has been increasing light. That is the key trigger for egg laying!!