Do I have any Roo's? 32 weeks and still no eggs...

[popsicle]

You can feel their pelvic bones as a way to see if you need to be looking harder for stolen nests.

 

[BantamLover21]

All of them are definitely pullets.

 

[Wyandottes7]

All of them are definitely pullets.

I agree.

 

[echipping]

So if they are all pullets still but 32 weeks at what point do they leave the "pullet" stage? I know for each breed it can be different but is there a general reference for that?

 

[islandgirl82]

A pullet is a female up to 1 year old. After that, they're considered Hens. It's the same for cockerels vs. roosters.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

So if they are all pullets still but 32 weeks at what point do they leave the "pullet" stage? I know for each breed it can be different but is there a general reference for that?

The generally accepted industry definition of "pullet" is a female domestic chicken under 1 year of age.

 

[echipping]

Okay, thanks guys! So from what I have been reading I shouldn't expect eggs till next year then... with them not being developed enough yet and the days being shorter even if I add a light they probably wont lay for a couple more months... right? Also I am a tad thrown off because I had a friend who got chicks the same day I did from the same place and hers started laying a few months ago. No idea what they look like though. But has anyone ever heard of a chicken not developing as quick as another from the same clutch?

 

[popsicle]

Were they the same breeds?

Silkies take a notoriously long time to mature. It is no surprise you aren't getting eggs from her. Brahmas, Cochins and Orpingtons are big birds that can also take a while to mature. Easter Eggers are generally a bit more productive, and I would assume most would be laying by around 24-weeks.

You can look up how to check their pelvic bones to see if they are laying--that information would be in many chicken keeping books and here on BYC, or by googleing "how to tell if hen is laying eggs."

Here are some articles I found for you:
http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyar...there-signs-that-a-hen-may-be-laying-H93.aspx
http://www.nutrenaworld.com/knowledge-center/poultry/when-pullets-start-to-lay-eggs/
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/02/when-will-hen-begin-laying-eggs-what-to.html

 

[echipping]

Were they the same breeds?

Silkies take a notoriously long time to mature. It is no surprise you aren't getting eggs from her. Brahmas, Cochins and Orpingtons are big birds that can also take a while to mature. Easter Eggers are generally a bit more productive, and I would assume most would be laying by around 24-weeks.

You can look up how to check their pelvic bones to see if they are laying--that information would be in many chicken keeping books and here on BYC, or by googleing "how to tell if hen is laying eggs."

Here are some articles I found for you:
http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyar...there-signs-that-a-hen-may-be-laying-H93.aspx
http://www.nutrenaworld.com/knowledge-center/poultry/when-pullets-start-to-lay-eggs/
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/02/when-will-hen-begin-laying-eggs-what-to.html

I will start reading now! Thank you SO much for all your advice! I feel like a new mom again! Except this does not seem to come as natural! Lucky thing they are cute like kids so you keep on trekking

 

[islandgirl82]

Though some breeds mature faster than others, it's still an individual thing. When I first started keeping them, I had a couple of Easter Eggers; one started laying in October and laid straight through the winter, only having a day off if the temps were below freezing for more than one day. The other didn't start until spring but they were the same age.

It can be especially difficult to estimate with Easter Eggers. They're a mixed breed to begin with so it partially depends on rates of maturity of whatever breeds are in their particular mix and yes, the time of year plays another role.

Your Easter Egger's comb looks exactly like one of my current EE's who started laying over the summer and my Olive Egger who is just over 22 weeks. The OE may not actually start until spring but hopefully before. I do not give artificial heat or light due to this being the natural time for them to rest and if I get eggs throughout the winter it's a bonus for me but you may want to at least give them light if you want to increase your chances of getting eggs before spring.