Egg laying this year or next spring?

[chickity-chick]

Hi everyone. I have 4 hens who are going on there 20th week of life. Two are red sex links. One of whom has had huge waddles and comb that are bright red for two weeks now. She will occasionally go in a nest box but not for a long time just walk in and walk out. However now in Atlanta we only are getting 12.5 hours of day light a day. I read somewhere than hens need 14 hours of day light in order to lay. Do you guys think that she will wait until the spring to start? I just am confused because her comb and waddles are huge and red and shes checking out the nest boxes a tad, but the daylight thing. I know the amount of light is important to laying. I'm just confused on this and want to know if I should give up hope of finding our first egg this year. I also don't want to put in artificial light because red sex links have a shorter life span already due to the egg laying pressures being bred into them- I don't want her to stress out and lay when she doesn't have to and shorten her life. So I don't want to add any artificial light. I look forward to reading your advice! Its so suspenseful waiting for that first egg but I don't know if I should even be in suspense right now!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Most of them you can add about a month onto the estimated start date this time of year. Sex links are generally 4-5 months. Pullets mature more slowly this time of year, which is better for them.