I have the lamest chickens EVER!!!

[trailchick]

The weather. Period.
I have, what 30 hens and nothing is laying right now. I have gathered only 10 eggs in the last week.
Stormy cold all day, 28° right now, getting dark, & will be colder tonight. Will only be about 32° for the next week & who knows what the next month will be like. What is the weather like where you are? It may be several weeks before anything gets going again as far as laying goes....
I am no longer worried about when the hens start laying - I am worried about my free ranging peas that like to roost in the trees in this weather- hope they dont freeze to death or catch frostbite on their toes!

 

[silkiechicken]

Shortening days is often the reason summer and fall chicks wait till spring to start laying.

That said, everything you may read will say laying at 20-24 weeks... yeah right, if you are a production line leghorn selectively bred for the factory. Figure 24-26 weeks minimum for your regular old laying machine hatchery bird. Obviously there are exceptions, as nothing is a rule in the chicken world. Also, freedom to range and treats can slow down the onset of lay as they have fun in life spending energy on things other than maturation. A bird eating 100% commercial ration balanced for optimum performance, kept under 16 hours of light, in a heated barn, often will lay a bit earlier just because they mature faster. If your birds are to be pets though, the later they lay the more built up and structurally sound they will be for a longer time. Less "burn out" so to say.

Good luck!

At least you were not sold "old spent hens" at a pullet's price. (Seattle = 20-25 each for a run in the mill layer type, more if one of the fad birds or colors).

 

[lollimama]

Thanks everyone. This is what I needed!

I know that the weather can be a factor, and it's been cold here for a few weeks. We did add supplemental light a while back and I'm with you 'loveacatahoula' - I've done everything short of serve these girls breakfast in bed!

It's good to be reminded that most birds will start laying closer to 24 weeks or more. It seems like there is so much talk on here about the 20 week mark the on the egg countdown threads etc. My hens are certainly happy, just running around the yard pooping everywhere and eating my garden plants!!

They are a very enthusiastic bunch. Now if I could only get them enthusiastic about paying their rent!

 

[tec27]

AT LEAST YOU HAVE GIRLS. Some people buy chickens for eggs and end up getting all roosters. So be thankful for that.

 

[vfem]

I have 3 girls who hatched in March and haven't gotten an egg from any of them. I hatched them myself, and they're girls... just haven't gotten anything. I've upped their protein since they're molting a bit. I think that will help, with the shorter days though I may not see eggs until spring. Its ok, I know they're girls and they're healthy... they'll lay eventually!

 

[Pebbles]

I have 5 red stars and 6 BO's. They are all 20 weeks old this week. I got my first two eggs today from the red stars. WOOHOO. Hang in there, your red star will start laying soon.

 

[lollimama]

Alright everyone, I can't believe I'm actually on here posting this but Betty laid her first egg yesterday!!!!!!!!!! I NEVER thought that day would come! And here she is at 31 weeks old. Thank you for the timely advice on Marans, that was so very helpful!! What a thrill to hear her squawking and see her marching proudly out of the coop...I knew exactly what was up but I couldn't believe it! She even laid it in the nestbox like a good little bird. Wow. Awesome! I can't wait to see if she lays again tomorrow (so far nothing today).

 

[artsy1]

.....patience............................congrats.

 

[StarLover21]

Quote:
This is very helpful! I had a feeling that she might lay late...but that seems very late. Maybe she'll give us a Christmas present! So you don't think I've been mislead as far as her age?

Nope, it's actually pretty normal, with winter coming in and all. You'll have eggs soon!

 

[MyChickenApples]

The splashed hen is beautiful! I bet you get some eggs in the spring