How long till I get some eggs?

[Cortec]

Hi, bought some point of lay hens 7 weeks ago but still no eggs. Told they where 18 weeks old when we bought them. They are Rhode island reds. They are very well looked after and just confused why we still have no eggs? Any advice welcome

 

[Sakai]

Well, if they were 18 weeks when you bought them, you should be getting eggs at any time. The stress of a new home could delay them, but if it's been seven weeks then they should be used to their new area by now.
Have you been getting a lot of rain? Is it very hot? Very cold? Extream weather can throw them off laying as well.
Perhaps it is the changing seasons. The less daylight means they will slow. Some year old chickens may only lay an egg or two a week. Very young hens may not start laying until the spring.
Hopefully, someone more experienced will chime in.

 

[chickens really]

The shortened daylight hours will possibly delay them till spring and the days get longer again.

 

[aart]

Hi, bought some point of lay hens 7 weeks ago but still no eggs. Told they where 18 weeks old when we bought them. They are Rhode island reds. They are very well looked after and just confused why we still have no eggs? Any advice welcome

Welcome to BYC!
Ya gotta squeeeezzze 'em!
No, just kidding.

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

But post some pics of your birds, and tell us....
....Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!

 

[Cortec]

Thanks for replying all. I'm in the Midlands in the UK. we bought 6 hens for daughter. Done as requested and updated details. Thing I thought about changing. 1. Add daylight lights in coop to give summer time light times. 2 add heater to increase temperature. 3 add water to layer pellets. Not sure if any will help any ideas?

 

[aliciaFarmer]

I bet they start laying soon. All of my RIRs started laying between 17 and 18.6 weeks so I bet it's just the stress of a new home. They're a great laying breed.

 

[aart]

Thing I thought about changing. 1. Add daylight lights in coop to give summer time light times. 2 add heater to increase temperature. 3 add water to layer pellets. Not sure if any will help any ideas?

1. Adding lighting can help, but no guarantee, a timer is of utmost importance.
Here's a pretty good article on supplemental lighting.

2. No need to heat the coop, it's the length of day that matters most for laying.
Good ventilation is essential, so don't 'tighten' up the coop thinking it will keep them warmer. The need to be dry with lots of fresh air to keep them healthy, they have down jackets to keep them warm.

3. No need to wet feed, they should be drinking plenty out of their waterer.
Tho if it freezes where you are you must make sure their water stays thawed,
so a heater there might be needed.

 

[Cortec]

Just an update we have just started getting two eggs a day. I do think the lights have helped but thanks for all the advice!!!