Early laying patterns

[JBchickenlover]

Hello! This is my first flock, we have 13 Rhode Island whites who are 18.5 weeks old. For the last week we have consistently been getting 4-7 eggs all in their nesting boxes so we are quite pleased! I’m curious if you all think these are the same hens, in which case should I expect the others to start soon? What’s the typical time frame before a whole flock is laying consistently? TIA!

 

[PoultryCQ]

Hello! This is my first flock, we have 13 Rhode Island whites who are 18.5 weeks old. For the last week we have consistently been getting 4-7 eggs all in their nesting boxes so we are quite pleased! I’m curious if you all think these are the same hens, in which case should I expect the others to start soon? What’s the typical time frame before a whole flock is laying consistently? TIA!

I doubt all your pullets are laying. Some start much later. Once you get 11-12 eggs a day, you will know they are all laying. RIRs are egg machines, especially their first year. They may take a rest during winter, when there is not enough sunlight though.

 

[JBchickenlover]

I doubt all your pullets are laying. Some start much later. Once you get 11-12 eggs a day, you will know they are all laying. RIRs are egg machines, especially their first year. They may take a rest during winter, when there is not enough sunlight though.

That makes sense, I kind of figured that would be the case. Just interesting because they have been pretty consistent 5-6 eggs a day for the last few days, I kinda figured we would slowly creep up in counts but maybe we will see a jump at some point?
RIWs are supposed to have similar production to RIRs but they have a little milder temperament which is why we chose them.

 

[PoultryCQ]

That makes sense, I kind of figured that would be the case. Just interesting because they have been pretty consistent 5-6 eggs a day for the last few days, I kinda figured we would slowly creep up in counts but maybe we will see a jump at some point?
RIWs are supposed to have similar production to RIRs but they have a little milder temperament which is why we chose them.

Oh, so you have RIWs. Well, the timing is a little odd for new layers. Since daylight hours are going to go down soon, in a few months, they may not all lay before they stop laying for a while. Sometimes, new layers may lay through winter, but sometimes not. The best clue is that your pullets start to get red combs and wattles.

 

[JBchickenlover]

Oh, so you have RIWs. Well, the timing is a little odd for new layers. Since daylight hours are going to go down soon, in a few months, they may not all lay before they stop laying for a while. Sometimes, new layers may lay through winter, but sometimes not. The best clue is that your pullets start to get red combs and wattles.

I had heard that about the combs and wattles. Most have combs and wattles that seem to have matured pretty quickly in the last few weeks but I have a few that are still pretty pink so I assume those are going to be later bloomers. But that only accounts for maybe 2 or 3.

 

[PoultryCQ]

I had heard that about the combs and wattles. Most have combs and wattles that seem to have matured pretty quickly in the last few weeks but I have a few that are still pretty pink so I assume those are going to be later bloomers. But that only accounts for maybe 2 or 3.

Have they started to squat? Thats another sign. The best way to find
out who is laying is the pelvis trick. Chickens have a bone directly under their vent. Only if you can stick 2 fingers between that bone can an egg come out. So your layers would have a pelvis bone that is atleast 2 fingers apart. Thats the best way to test.

 

[JBchickenlover]

Have they started to squat? Thats another sign. The best way to find
out who is laying is the pelvis trick. Chickens have a bone directly under their vent. Only if you can stick 2 fingers between that bone can an egg come out. So your layers would have a pelvis bone that is atleast 2 fingers apart. Thats the best way to test.

Oh interesting! Good to know, thanks!