Hold outs!

[koturnix]

It's definitely genetics, some tend to lay around 12-14 weeks. Are they jumbos? I heard jumbos usually take longer to lay than standards. My standard ones normally start at 6-7 weeks like clockwork. Though some sources say that the eggs from late layers result in better chicks somehow (I haven't noticed in a difference though).

 

[Quailobsessed]

I had a hen who didn't start laying until she was four months old!

 

[Nabiki]

It's definitely genetics, some tend to lay around 12-14 weeks. Are they jumbos? I heard jumbos usually take longer to lay than standards. My standard ones normally start at 6-7 weeks like clockwork. Though some sources say that the eggs from late layers result in better chicks somehow (I haven't noticed in a difference though).

I'm not so sure about that. My first hatch of jumbos that hatched last summer started laying right at six weeks. In my experience there are a lot of factors other than genetics that can play a role in when they start to lay.

 

[Fishychix]

as nabiki stated, she uses a stainless steel mortar and pestle. i chose to stop using oyster shell after losing hens to impacted crop. i rarely have an issue with soft shells on my eggs as in my aviary setting, they will find and crush eggshell if they feel they need the extra calcium.

Thanks! I don’t know how I missed that. Reading is fundamental How would I know if a crop is impacted?

 

[Fishychix]

I had a hen who didn't start laying until she was four months old!

Yikes!

 

[Fishychix]

It's definitely genetics, some tend to lay around 12-14 weeks. Are they jumbos? I heard jumbos usually take longer to lay than standards. My standard ones normally start at 6-7 weeks like clockwork. Though some sources say that the eggs from late layers result in better chicks somehow (I haven't noticed in a difference though).

I don’t know for sure on that. I believe they’re standard due to their size. I have celadon layers and regular layers. The guy I got them from said they start to lay at six weeks.

 

[Fishychix]

I'm not so sure about that. My first hatch of jumbos that hatched last summer started laying right at six weeks. In my experience there are a lot of factors other than genetics that can play a role in when they start to lay.

I feel they’d love some sunshine, but I know I’m not the only one keeping them indoors, so I don’t think it’s that. Maybe they’re afraid of their bunny(cula) neighbors. Lol!
What do they like to lay in? I don’t have birds building nests near me so I can’t swipe a ready made nest. They have a pirate ship for a dust bath that they LOVE. Should I find more things along those lines?

 

[Nabiki]

Thanks! I don’t know how I missed that. Reading is fundamental How would I know if a crop is impacted?

Their crop will feel hard and stay that way. They will also stop eating and pooping. Their crops are usually empty first thing in the morning, so if you check them and see a lethargic bird with a full crop, it's probably impacted.

I feel they’d love some sunshine, but I know I’m not the only one keeping them indoors, so I don’t think it’s that. Maybe they’re afraid of their bunny(cula) neighbors. Lol!
What do they like to lay in? I don’t have birds building nests near me so I can’t swipe a ready made nest. They have a pirate ship for a dust bath that they LOVE. Should I find more things along those lines?

Artificial light works as long as they're getting 14-16 hours/day. They usually aren't all that picky about where they lay. Some like to have a shelter to hide in, some lay wherever they're standing.

 

[Fishychix]

I found two eggs this morning!