Dud Chickens, 2017 style

[DIMBY]

That looks like a typical "pullet egg" to me -- at least that's the size my mutt's eggs are when they first start laying. After a few months of laying, the eggs start getting bigger and by the following summer they are normal sized. I kind of enjoy the small-sized "first eggs" while they last.

As for why they other's aren't laying -- I've occasionally had a hen not start laying until 7+ months in, but 32 weeks is a bit unusual. Not unheard of, however. They may just be late bloomers. Also, I've heard of (but have not experienced it) hens that wait until the following spring before laying their first eggs.

Also, Mutts 1 and 3, don't look particularly close yet, but it just could be the photo. They don't look nearly as red in the face/comb as Mutt 2. Could your "breeder" have gotten the hatch date wrong?

Thanks for responding, I have had these girls since late April (they were 6-8 weeks old then), so I know they are at least 7 months old, going on 8 for sure. You'll notice Mutt 1 and 3 have virtually no comb or waddle, which is strikingly odd to say the least. Mutt 2 has been laying these tiny eggs for about 3 months, since late-July or so and they haven't got any larger (when she started, I got very excited with the "baby eggs" then after the second month I realized they will probably always be very small).

 

[HattieScratchy]

I have a blue Wyandotte that looks exactly like your #3.. she was my last to lay an egg from my January batch of pullets and was 7+ months. #1 looks like a Wyandotte mix. the tail isn't right but wattle and comb look right #2 looks like a cuckoo marans but must habe been crossed with a blue layer to give you that beautiful olive color.

 

[HattieScratchy]

I must also add that pullet eggs are much smaller than regular eggs. They'll get bigger a time goes on, but for the first little bit they'll be like 1/2 the size of regular eggs.

 

[DIMBY]

So do you think there's any hope for Mutts 1 and 3 to ever lay eggs? At this point I'll take any size, any color!

 

[HattieScratchy]

there always hope. Have you asked the breeder for replacements since you are unsatisfied?

So do you think there's any hope for Mutts 1 and 3 to ever lay eggs? At this point I'll take any size, any color!

 

[JedJackson]

You could give them away but you know the minute you do they will start laying. I think they are just late bloomers. Sometimes the combination of genes in mixed breeds can do strange things and I'm guessing that is what's happening here.

Also, why do you say one of your Wyandottes is laying the green eggs in your first post but then your picture indicates mute 2, the layer, is the cuckoo Marans cross? Or do I have it mixed up?

 

[DIMBY]

No, but I don't think she will. She did take back one of the chicks that turned out to be a rooster (stressful that one). And, who knows what I would get then. So, I'll start looking for young pullets at swap meets. Sigh, the perils of back yard chickening!

 

[Morrigan]

I agree there is reason to hope that they will eventually start laying. They still look too immature to lay, which would seem to suggest they are late bloomers. Had they been red in the face/comb for awhile with nothing happening, I wold be more concerned about reproductive issues. They look like beautiful birds, for what it's worth.

Some pullet's eggs increase in size faster then others. I've had a few that laid pretty small eggs until they had been laying 6 months or more.

 

[Bonniebooboo]

I agree with the others on here. Still hope for them to lay. May be a bit longer than you hope, but they just don't appear quite ready yet with their pale combs/ wattles. Otherwise looking good. Best to you.

 

[DIMBY]

For sure if those two ever start laying I will post pictures, set off fireworks, pop a cork of bubbly. Go all out!