French Marans….when will they lay?

[Bigcountry69]

So we have 4 Black copper marans, one each of black maran and Wheaton. They were hatched on May 12th. They are in with a cream legbar rooster and 4 legbar hens. None of the marans have laid an egg yet. Any idea on when this could happen? I have seen 6 months, but I know that the days are getting shorter and that will have an effect on them. Will it be spring before they lay or will they possibly start soon. We are not using any supplemental light on any of our flock, so they are just getting whatever day light there is here in Eastern NC. It’s hard waiting on these ladies to lay.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Probably gonna be close to spring for them at this point

 

[nuthatched]

Hmm, what do you feed them? Do they free range and could have a hidden nest? Are they your only hens?

 

[Bigcountry69]

Hmm, what do you feed them? Do they free range and could have a hidden nest? Are they your only hens?

No we have close to 60 chickens total. They are in a separate run with the legbars. We feed a 20% protein non gmo soy and corn free feed I mix myself. They have oyster shell and minerals available free choice. We have had a hawk issue, but I think we have that mitigated. even our leghorn and golden comets have slowed down quite a bit. The only ones that seem to be laying regularly now are our Wyandotte’s. I am going to add some fake eggs into the nest boxes and see if maybe that will help them.
Just wanting to get some of those super
Dark brown eggs.

 

[nuthatched]

They could be waiting until next year or they are laying and their eggs aren't dark.

 

[Bigcountry69]

They could be waiting until next year or they are laying and their eggs aren't dark.

They are not laying period. They are in a separate run and coop from the rest of our flock. Only other layers in with them are our legbar hens. I am guessing once the days start getting longer they will get started laying.

 

[Bigcountry69]

Well there is irony that I asked this question today. Found our first egg from the marans today in the run. It was a gorgeous dark brown with speckles. So at least one of our marans has decided to lay

 

[demonic]

Well there is irony that I asked this question today. Found our first egg from the marans today in the run. It was a gorgeous dark brown with speckles. So at least one of our marans has decided to lay

 

[KelseyBoxer]

My 5 marans hens were hatched May 1. So far I believe only 2 are laying. I do not use light or other means to force a hen to lay. They are all different.

 

[aart]

minerals available free choice

Wonders what exactly this is.
Is there no poultry premix in your feed?