Delaware & BLRW owners - ?

[Kim_NC]

I have 6 Delaware and 4 BLRW pullets that were 22 weeks old Saturday. I still haven't seen an egg yet. The other breeds I raise are usually laying by now (BR, BA, RIR, RSL, BSL, EE).

Combs are red on about half of them. I looked everywhere for a hidden nest the last couple days. Not an easy feat. They have a pasture area with some growth taller than I am. Nonetheless, I meticulousy searched and Notta!

Someone encourage me...LOL. I'm not used to waiting so long on pullets to lay. It's driving me nuts.

Anyone have experience with these two breeds? How long do they take to lay?

 

[T-5FARM]

I have 4 Delaware and 4 Rhode Island Red pullets that were hatched the last week in February (acccording to the seller). I got my first egg Aug. 3. They would have been approximately 22 weeks old then. I got 6 eggs from them Aug. 14, and 7 yesterday. So most, if not all are laying at 24 weeks.

 

[HBuehler]

My Delawares were born early Feb.Beautiful red combs picture of health and happiness..theirs I mean not mine..not one darn egg but I have lots of other breeds in there ALL have the deep red I should be laying look(16 weeks and up) ..and only my Minorca's and leghorns are laying then those darn gals took a vacation yesterday
Going to blame the weather it's easier than the chicken and I'm betting when they start to lay I will be gathering eggs with a 5 gallon bucket

I would say be patient but I don't know the meaning of that statement

 

[Katy]

Wyandottes are slow to mature so your pullets will eventually get there. All my wyandottes, no matter the color, take their sweet time.

 

[speckledhen]

My first Delaware laid an egg at about 22-23 weeks. This current group of pullets began at 18 weeks and by 21 weeks, the fourth and last one had laid her first egg. I'd say by 26 weeks or so, you should definitely have that first egg, but every pullet is different. Hey, I had two birds in my youngest adult groupof the laying flock lay at 40 weeks and over, so they're not late at all yet!

 

[Kim_NC]

Thanks for the replies. I'll TRY to be patient LOL

I cleaned up the coops yesterday. They have new shavings in their nests boxes, etc. So I'm ready when they are!

 

[DeeTee]

Last year, my new Delaware pullets were 25 weeks old when they started laying. After a month, I was getting 2 to 3 eggs every day from the 3 of them.

Hang in there...

 

[Kim_NC]

Thanks for the encouragement, DeeTee.