Do Easter Eggers lay later?

[decker823]

All of my chickens are 7 months old. The Rhode Island Red and the Wyandottes have been laying for several weeks, but still nothing from my Easter Egger. Is this normal? These are the first chickens we’ve ever had, so we’re still learning! I thought she was an Americana, but looking at images I think she’s an Easter Egger. Someone suggested she could be a he, but she doesn’t look like a rooster to me, and it’s not crowing. Any ideas?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

That's a female. All are individuals and will lay when their body says it's ready. But it can be delayed this time of year because of diminished daylight hours.

Her face isn't that red yet which is an indicator of laying hormones. But pics can be deceptive, so that's just how it looks to me.

The other possibility would be a hidden nest. Do you know her position in the pecking order? Yes, she is an EE and pretty too.

I had Wyandottes not start laying until 8 months and leghorn not start until 6. I would say just be patient and she will probably present you with some beauties soon. In other words, yes completely normal.

 

[Cycomiko]

I too have a flock of 7mo olds. 4 Isa Browns, 2 White Leghorns, and 2 Americaunas, 1 of which is a rooster. With the Isa Browns and Leghorns, we've already accumulated over 450 eggs. Still nothing with the Americauna. She is bigger than all the other hens, but I believe due to the fact she is not laying she is the lowest in the pecking order. The Isa Browns bully her regularly.
Often you'll find Americaunas and Easter Eggers compared, and I've read that many don't see an egg for the first 7 or 8 months, while some say it took a year, possibly due the seasonal changes once it was ready to lay.
We are getting more eggs than we can eat, as the 6 that are laying do so nearly daily. It's rare not to have 6 eggs in the nesting box. They must be happy.

 

[decker823]

Thanks! This picture is old, so they look a bit different now, it’s just what was on my phone. I’d say she’s probably at the top of the pecking order because she seems the most bold, but a couple of times when I’ve gone to lock them up at night she’s been roosting on top of the coop or on the fence, so maybe the others are making her leave? I’d never thought of that, I thought she was just a brat!

 

[decker823]

Found a more recent one. Like I said, she’s a brat!

 

[Jessica Chambers]

My Easter Egger (who was also sold to us as an Americauna, but is definitely an EE) started laying just after 29 weeks. She grew up in the hot TX heat which I think also probably delayed some development. If you post a better picture of her comb and wattles we could estimate how close (or far away) she is.

Here is my EE when she started laying. Bright red comb that has become enlarged quite a bit in the week before she started laying.

 

[Bonniebooboo]

My 3 EE pullets are now 6 months old and have been laying since 21 weeks old. they were the 1st ones to start laying. All 10 Pullets are laying now. The others are buff orpington cross, Barred rock cross, and a California white cross. I think she will lay when she is ready. Hope all goes well for you.

 

[decker823]

Today

 

[Jessica Chambers]

Today

I think you're getting there! Her comb is getting pretty developed. I'd say once you seen some squatting, you're within a week or so.

 

[Cindy in PA]

My EEs over the years have also started laying between 18 & 22 weeks & have been some of my best layers. 5 batches have come from 3 different hatcheries. How do you know she is not laying? If it's because there are no green/blue eggs, she may be laying a brown one. If not, decreasing light may delay her, but she will lay when she is ready.