I need help.

[jetskier506]

So we Got about a dozen chickens in the about a week before easter. We have a coop with a run, but they never stay there. They have another "coop" and they eat good. I mean i give them way more Dumor laying pellets than they can eat. They eat lots of blue berries, grapes, fresh corn, lettuce, mustard greens, and they free range. The store said they should start laying at 18 weeks and it's been 22 weeks. I have one broiler (whose huge), 3 red ones, two plymouth rocks, two white ones (who arent as big), a game one (i think), and in the coop theres three younger ones. Also, I live in georgia so its hot if that matters. Not sure if theyre birthday matters but somewhere it said if they mature at some time then theyll wait till january. So when can i expect eggs, am i doing something wrong, and what can i do to help they're process?

 

[nurse_turtle]

Average laying age is about 6 months. Many breeds are known to lay earlier, but at 22 weeks, the majority of us are still waiting for eggs. Even when the hen is showing signs of laying, it may still be weeks before you see an egg.

 

[Impress]

Do they free range? You may be getting plenty of eggs, just not in the nest boxes.

 

[3goodeggs]

Welcome to BYC!
I can not remember when Easter was this year, but I think it should have been plenty of time.
They are not hiding a communal nest from you?
Mine are Buff orpingtons, and they started around 18 weeks, but somewhere I read, and was expecting, 36 weeks.

The days are getting shorter now and that might delay the cycle... but it seems strange that you do not have one yet. The meatie should be old enough to eat by now. They are usually 8-10 weeks, I thought.
You don't have a batch of roosters do you?
Where did you get them from?

 

[TexasToucan]

My new blue and lavender orpingtons turned 21 weeks on Monday. Still no eggs from them.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Both above comments are true. Post 2 & 3
Patience is a virtue - And I want it now!

Waiting longer (although it's tough on us) helps them in the long run because their bodies are better equipped for the task.
Age, hours of light and nutrition are the most important factors.
They'll start to check out the nests and try them out for size a few days before laying. Put a fake egg or golf ball in each nest to show them what the nests are for.
The heat could very well be an issue.
Does the coop have windows that get the morning light?
I'd cut back on treats to make sure they're getting enough protein.

Keep us informed.

 

[kitkatnoah]

You're feeding them healthy food & they're free ranging, too, as you said they have another coop and I'm assuming that they're not laying there also? I have a BR also who was hatched out on Easter & she hasn't laid yet, but her comb and wattles are bright red, but she hasn't started squatting but she watches the older hens lay an egg all the time. I've learned that each hen is on her own time schedule, so I'm not worried but I have been watching to see if she will start squatting, which will tell me she's getting ready. I had one hen that started laying at 30 weeks! Young pullets will lay when their body is ready, so give it some time, they'll surprise you when they do start. We're in south Texas & with the heat wave here all my hens stopped laying, it was just too hot. Now with the cooler weather coming in I finally got some eggs these past two weeks.