First Egg Countdown

[Shannys Girls]

I have 3 RIRs, 3 Black Australorps, 2 Buff Orps & 2 "Americaunas", all 21 week old hens. Only 1 of the RIRs is laying (little bitty eggs). Since they were about 3 weeks old, they've been fed non-GMO, non-soy feed. Am I missing something I should be doing to encourage laying with this kind of diet or is it possibly the cold weather?

 

[chicksurreal]

I have 3 RIRs, 3 Black Australorps, 2 Buff Orps & 2 "Americaunas", all 21 week old hens. Only 1 of the RIRs is laying (little bitty eggs). Since they were about 3 weeks old, they've been fed non-GMO, non-soy feed. Am I missing something I should be doing to encourage laying with this kind of diet or is it possibly the cold weather?

I know that shortened daylight hours have an effect on egg laying. I think ours took longer than "average" to start laying because they were hatched in the early fall and grew up as the days started to get shorter. they're over 7 months old now and not all of them have even started laying yet, not one did until they were 26 weeks. We just got 8 eggs for the first time today (out of 13 pullets). So, give them time, they will make it happen!

 

[mamaj323]

We got 8 eggs today!! I was shocked because it's been 3-5 a day. :yiipchick

Ha! Love it! I just got 8 for the first time today too! Our girls are in sync! 6 ladies left!

 

[Happy Chooks]

I have 3 RIRs, 3 Black Australorps, 2 Buff Orps & 2 "Americaunas", all 21 week old hens. Only 1 of the RIRs is laying (little bitty eggs). Since they were about 3 weeks old, they've been fed non-GMO, non-soy feed. Am I missing something I should be doing to encourage laying with this kind of diet or is it possibly the cold weather?

What is the protein % on the feed you are using? If they run out of water or have frozen water, that will affect egg laying. 21 weeks isn't that old, and they all develop at different rates - they will start laying when their bodies are ready. The eggs will be small at first and will gradually get larger over time.

 

[chicksurreal]

Ha! Love it! I just got 8 for the first time today too! Our girls are in sync! 6 ladies left!

Yay! Isn't it awesome? Lol!

We have 5 that haven't laid yet, I'm assuming they will do it when they're ready. We still have one girl who's comb is barely starting to develop at over 7 months old, so I'm sure they all are going at their own pace.

 

[Shannys Girls]

They always have good water. We live in South Texas, so it isn't as cold as it is in most of the country. I will be buying more feed tomorrow, so I will check with them what the protein % is. Thank you for the encouragement. I only have 2 other hens that have combs like the one who I know is my egg layer. So now I know what to look for & I need to be patient. LOL

 

[2lilchkns]

We got four eggs today! Woo hoo! One of ten is light blue, so we know its the first from one of our two Easter eggers. Four chickens laying, now six more to go! Awesome way to usher in the first day of spring!

 

[2lilchkns]

Oops, sorry for typo, I meant one of "them"

 

[kpgoldstar]

I am now on 18 days of my 4 RIR pullets/hens laying. Love my girls!

 

[Happy Chooks]

I am now on 18 days of my 4 RIR pullets/hens laying. Love my girls!