How long till they lay

[Jholeah]

The lady I purchased my girls from said she hatched them and they are 7 months old. I have 2 Lavender Orpington's. How long does it usually take for them to start laying? Oh and I live in south Louisiana.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The lady I purchased my girls from said she hatched them and they are 7 months old. I have 2 Lavender Orpington's. How long does it usually take for them to start laying? Oh and I live in south Louisiana.

Are they hatchery quality or show quality? Hatchery stock tends to lay earlier. 6-8 months in my experiences. Show quality can take a few more months as they are larger and take more time to mature.

This time of year I always tack on an extra month or two, and don't expect a lot of eggs out of new layers until we get past the winter solstice and are under increasing light.

 

[nuthatched]

How certain are you that she's telling the truth? Also, the change of environment + winter may make them take an early winter break.

 

[Jholeah]

Are they hatchery quality or show quality? Hatchery stock tends to lay earlier. 6-8 months in my experiences. Show quality can take a few more months as they are larger and take more time to mature.

This time of year I always tack on an extra month or two, and don't expect a lot of eggs out of new layers until we get past the winter solstice and are under increasing light.

I don't know what quality they are but she is just a back yard chicken momma as far as I know. So it can take longer. I did think about the time of year. I just wanted to make sure they were ok and not laying was not a problem. Thank you

 

[Jholeah]

How certain are you that she's telling the truth? Also, the change of environment + winter may make them take an early winter break.

I am not certain at all. All I can do is believe her. I met her at a farmers market/swap. I know it is not a good place to get hens but I was so desperate and did not want chicks at this time of year. I don't have a place to keep them warm at this time. Thank you. I mainly wanted to make sure they are ok. They have something respiratory now also so I wanted to make sure it was not related.