Eggs?

[ladywithchickens18]

How long have they been on layer feed?
They really shouldn't get it until they actually start laying,
higher calcium and and lower protein can slow that last growing spurt.
Treats should be kept to a minimum, less than 10% of total daily volume intake, as they can dilute the nutrition of the main feed. Neither is the end of the world, but may delay laying.

Here's some tips on how to tell.....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

I started them at 18 weeks on it! they only get corn 1 day week.

 

[ladywithchickens18]

What is the percentage of protein in that feed?

16%

 

[muddy75]

my rirs started around 23-24 weeks, slightly after my ba’s and it was december.....my first layers were sporadic...1 new egg and then might go days to a week before next egg. make sure to put some fake eggs in the nesting boxes as well if you haven’t already in addition to others’ suggestions. it’s like imprinting them on the coop....the first ones can happen anywhere but they usually get the hang of the nesting boxes pretty quickly!!

 

[Kelliejanine]

I have two Rhode Island reds that just started laying at 18 weeks so I’d imagine any day now. I’m surprised mine started that early considering it’s winter.

 

[Mrs.Megan]

I switched mine over to layer feed at 18 weeks when I thought I should. Then in the fall realized when only 2 pullets (EE and white rock) were laying, that it wasn’t smart. My lt Brahma laid her first egg a few weeks ago~ which isn’t crazy late for that breed but RIR laid her first egg last weekend at nearly 11 months... I’m not sure if it was the lower protein for a few months or coming into maturity as the days got shorter or a combo of both.
But anyway it seems like the longer days have the girls laying and so I’d think it’d be the same for yours!
My RIR is smart like my white rock ~ laid a clean, hard shelled egg nicely in the coop. These breeds are great efficient layers
Here’s her first egg

View attachment 1679835

 

[ladywithchickens18]

my rirs started around 23-24 weeks, slightly after my ba’s and it was december.....my first layers were sporadic...1 new egg and then might go days to a week before next egg. make sure to put some fake eggs in the nesting boxes as well if you haven’t already in addition to others’ suggestions. it’s like imprinting them on the coop....the first ones can happen anywhere but they usually get the hang of the nesting boxes pretty quickly!!

Thank you! I just put the eggs in there today so I will for sure see if that helps. she is defiantly red so im hoping soon!

 

[ladywithchickens18]

I have two Rhode Island reds that just started laying at 18 weeks so I’d imagine any day now. I’m surprised mine started that early considering it’s winter.

That's what I am defiantly wondering if it is the cold. they are defiantly red and im hoping any day! Thank you!

 

[ladywithchickens18]

I switched mine over to layer feed at 18 weeks when I thought I should. Then in the fall realized when only 2 pullets (EE and white rock) were laying, that it wasn’t smart. My lt Brahma laid her first egg a few weeks ago~ which isn’t crazy late for that breed but RIR laid her first egg last weekend at nearly 11 months... I’m not sure if it was the lower protein for a few months or coming into maturity as the days got shorter or a combo of both.
But anyway it seems like the longer days have the girls laying and so I’d think it’d be the same for yours!
My RIR is smart like my white rock ~ laid a clean, hard shelled egg nicely in the coop. These breeds are great efficient layers
Here’s her first egg
View attachment 1679839
View attachment 1679835

That is beautiful I cant wait for mine! Thank you!

 

[WindingRoad]

16%

At least 20% during the winter. lower light, cold and egg production. We and our chickens are what we eat. Eggs are mostly protein. Protein in, Protein out. And some OS for good measure. I also feed mealworms, probably too much. I put out their food tonight without meals worms. They squawked about that. Seriously, they would peck a couple of times at the pellets and then look at me with that evil eye. I used 22% this winter, thought my BO and ISABrown would molt but they didn't. They will be 2 years old probably some time in the spring.

 

[Mrs.Megan]

@WindingRoad what % protein do you feed the rest of the year? I’m still questioning my protein choices, which is compounded by an order of chicks due to arrive next week. I buy my feed on Amazon because I have no close poultry supplies stores and the protein levels are so wildly different brand to brand... Do you ignore whether the bag says~ starter, grower etc? Right now the bag for the chicks’ feed is 20.5% but I saw a bag that had 22% protein. And the big girls feed has 17%. Is 17% enough for spring/ summer needs of laying hens? I took other’s advice and am NOT giving layer feed but it’s an all flock with oyster on the side