***HELP*** EASTER EGGER...LATE egg laying 38 weeks old and no eggs

[vintagegem]

My Ameraucana's that were bon in March still haven't started laying! The other hens I got of the same age but different breed only started laying 2 weeks ago.....I almost gave up on them altogether

You just have to be patient even when you don't think you can be patient any longer, then when you find that first egg it all seems worth it, good luck, and please post us a picture of your first egg !

 

[pdirt]

When I first joined BYC (and was new to chickens), I recall reading like most of us probably did...that to expect the hens to start laying around 20 weeks of age. Who came up with that? It seems ridiculous, as we've never had chickens start that early and there a LOTS of thread titled "why are my new chickens not laying?". It should read, "Don't bother looking for eggs before 20 weeks of age, but expect it normal if it takes up to 40 weeks." 40 weeks...is about 10 months...almost a year. I think many of us could rest easier if we read 40 weeks instead of 20 weeks. Then when they started laying at 32 weeks, we would be thrilled that they started laying so early!

 

[number9]

I have a lavender orp and a slw both hatched may 5. one ( I don't know which at this time ) started laying about 2 weeks ago the other not a sign of an egg as of today. Maybe tomorrow who knows.

 

[speckledhen]

My line of Delawares are very early maturing, most laying between 17 and 22 weeks of age, with most between 18 and 20 weeks, so it does happen, but you can't make one lay and you shouldn't get a certain breed because you read an article about it that said they begin laying at 20 weeks old and then go nuts when it doesn't. It's just one of those things.

Another point I'd make for the folks who are going nuts waiting: if a pullet takes her time starting to come into lay, lets her body develop to full sexual maturity, it's much better for her reproductive health over the long haul. So, that's something to think about. Remember the 7 year old late blooming EE hen I mentioned who is still laying and has had no reproductive issues in spite of her huge egg size.

Trust me, after you've raised hundreds of them, the wait is not as nail-biting insane as it was with your first ones. I have a 19 year old pullet right now, a mixed breed, and her comb and wattles are just now starting to turn more reddish-pink that yellowish-pink. Being a cross, I'd guess she may start around 25-28 weeks of age, but that's just a guess. She could be one of those Late Blooming Nellie's, but since I have other hens providing eggs, it's not an issue.


ETA: Someone pointed out that I typed 19 YEAR old pullet. Oh, wow. Of course, everyone knows what I meant, but it took me two tries and aart's hammer in the head to get me to see it. So sorry about that, LOL!

 

[RoosterCogburn7]

Some of this thread makes me feel marginally better.

Of my June chicks, my own EE's started laying at 5.5 months. (In November when the days were shortening, no less) None of the breeder eggs I hatched at the same time have. (I'm waiting and waiting ...and waiting......) Meanwhile my marans from April aren't laying either. Thank heavens for my EE's and mixes.
I want to add a few more birds to my flock this coming spring. My plan is to hatch eggs from my best and earliest layers.
Husband wants to add a few feed store production or sex link hens to up the per capita egg production. Plus no extra roosters that way.
Any thoughts on which route to take?

I have heard, and I could be mistaken, that Marans are slow laying because pure breed chickens do naturally slow down in winter. If your goal is not breeding, and simply egg production, a sex link chicken may be the way to go. I have found that breed listing on this site is very helpful.

 

[hgm5610]

Indianapolis

 

[speckledhen]

I have heard, and I could be mistaken, that Marans are slow laying because pure breed chickens do naturally slow down in winter. If your goal is not breeding, and simply egg production, a sex link chicken may be the way to go. I have found that breed listing on this site is very helpful.

Just be aware that hatchery sex links and other high production breeds can have serious reproductive issues that end their lives quite early on-there are exceptions, sure, but generally, you see those issues begin around the age of two, sometimes earlier, sometimes a tad later. This includes really all of the most common breeds that the feed stores get in every spring from various hatcheries around the country. Almost every one of my hatchery hens, the original flock, died from reproductive malfunctions like egg yolk peritontis and/or internal laying, and I didn't even have a sex link, the hybrid layer bred specifically for high egg production. The deaths became almost nil from reproductive crud when I began getting my birds from good breeders of quality stock. Generally, my best layers are my Rocks, both barreds and blue/black/splash and my Delawares with my mixed breeds right up there with them, but they are crosses of good quality birds, not hatchery stock.

So there is a trade-off. If you are aware of what you're getting into with the sex links, then sure, they'll lay earlier and lay well, generally.

 

[number9]

I have a 19 year old pullet right now, a mixed breed, and her comb and wattles are just now starting to turn more reddish-pink

Wow that would be something

 

[katekearby]

i have 3 all hatched about Feb/Mar time, they all layed in the summer, but all decided to molt in Oct early Nov. now it's winter they are all pretty well fully re-feathered and I haven't had a color egg in over 8 weeks. They are fun and pretty hens, but for production I would not choose them.

 

[speckledhen]

haha, very funny, number9. Was just making the point that my 19 week old DelaRock pullet shows signs of laying and could start soon or may wait for months. You just never know.