I'm getting antsy... when will they lay???

[srd5757]

Ok, I've been waiting patiently, but my patience is about gone...
Anyone have any first hand experience with these breeds and when they will finally lay???
I got them the first week in April. Feed store said they would probably start laying in August. They are now 23 weeks old.
One New Hamp Red
One Silver Laced Wyandotte
and one Production Red

Nothing...

 

[ldavis916]

Me too! Mine were born around the 21st of April and I have read that theay can lay anywhere from 18 weeks to 26 weeks. If it is too hot outside that can delay their laying. Also do you have little fake eggs in their nesting boxes? That can encourage them I have heard.

I have one of each: Rhode Island Red, Buff Orpington, Americauna, Barred Rock, Gold Lace Wing Wyandotte and a Brahma.

 

[7 Biddies]

Me too! Mine were born around the 21st of April and I have read that theay can lay anywhere from 18 weeks to 26 weeks. If it is htoo hot outside that can delay their laying. Also do you have little fake eggs in their nesting boxes? That can encourage them I have heard.

I have one of each: Rhode Island Red, Buff Orpington, Americauna, Barred Rock, Gold Lace Wing Wyandotte and a Brahma.

My girls are at least a month older than yours and have just begun laying. However, my BO, GLW, and one EE haven't produced yet, even though the EE started squatting about 2 weeks ago. The BO and GLW aren't squatting, but I've heard that not all of them do as a sign of laying. My BR, Australorp, one EE, and splash BLRW have been laying from 1 to 3 weeks. So, hang in there. We don't want to force our children into growing up prematurely, now, do we? Not good for them. Let them stay babies while they can. (Where have we all heard this before?)

 

[Puddin Fluff]

I am playing the waiting game as well. Our only experience was last year with our 4-h pullet chain birds and those girls began laying at 15 1/2 weeks. We did a hatch this spring and our babies are now 20 weeks we have 3 Salmon Favorelles, 1 Mottled Houdan, and 1 Araucana. None are squatting and their comb/wattles are not red enough, however, the Araucana spent extra time making a nest in one of the boxes today but alas, no egg when she left.

 

[mickey328]

It's like with any critter, including humans..."maturity" varies. It's also possible that they've been laying some fart eggs that you haven't seen, working their way up to real ones. Have you noticed any squatting behavior? Do they hang out in the nest boxes scratching and re-arranging the bedding? Those are pretty good signs that they're coming on. As the PP said, putting some fake eggs or even golf balls in the boxes can also encourage them

 

[srd5757]

The New Hamp is squatting here recently. Her and the production reds combs are starting to fill out.
I do have a golf ball in the nest box and have 2 older hens that are laying so they should know where to put them from seeing them. I haven't seen any 'fart' eggs, but I also haven't seen them checking out the nest boxes either... so I don't know...

 

[Puddin Fluff]

They say a "watched pot never boils" or is it "a watched chicken never lays"? We went away for the holiday weekend and came home to 2 beautiful blue eggs from our 20 week old Araucana!! Can't wait for her hatchmates to start laying too.

 

[7 Biddies]

Ok, I've been waiting patiently, but my patience is about gone...
Anyone have any first hand experience with these breeds and when they will finally lay???
I got them the first week in April. Feed store said they would probably start laying in August. They are now 23 weeks old.
One New Hamp Red
One Silver Laced Wyandotte
and one Production Red

Nothing...

Chickens are like cats ... they'll do it when they darn well feel like it and not one minute before!!

 

[srd5757]

Still nothing. Although, the New Hamp is squatting now. Fingers crossed it'll be soon.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

We're getting blue eggs daily, but still have 4 other girls that I am waiting on. 3 of them are getting redder combs but I haven't seen squatting. However, when the boys grab them there is less screaming and more well, I won't say submitting, but tolerating. Hopefully soon.