Is it getting close?!

[ChickenCanoe]

I posted this when I got my first egg 3 days ago. I am not sure when it was laid, but I am yet to get another egg since I found this one. Should I be concerned?

Don't be concerned. They're not machines. A young girl starting ovulation doesn't immediately start ovulating monthly.

I'm certainly no expert, but from my experience I have never had a chick lay in the same year it was hatched. I think, based upon what I have learned here, is that unless it was hatched very early in the year (before Easter) by the time she get's to laying age the days have gotten too short and she turns off for the winter(?).

That depends on what month they hatched. Chicks hatched in January should start laying by July. Chicks hatched in October will lay in March. If chicks hatch in May, they may not lay in the same calendar year because they are reaching that age in October when days are getting shorter which will not allow hormones to induce sexual maturity.

My pullets are 15 weeks old and should be laying any day now.
I am judging this from their comb, face and wattles as well as their squatting and checking out the nest boxes.
Yes, they were hatched before Easter.

At 15 weeks, they shouldn't be laying any day now.

 

[CluckerCottage]

ChickenCanoe, is that what you say to other members whom have pullets laying at this age?
I know my birds and I have been raising them for years. Don't let my join date and post count fool you.
I have been involved with chickens since I was a little girl as my father raised them.
At a half century old, I know the signs and by past laying behavior of my flocks through the years, I can judge that my pullets will be laying very soon.
I will be sure to let you know when I get my first pullet egg.
Have a nice day.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

ChickenCanoe, is that what you say to other members whom have pullets laying at this age?
I know my birds and I have been raising them for years. Don't let my join date and post count fool you.
I have been involved with chickens since I was a little girl as my father raised them.
At a half century old, I know the signs and by past laying behavior of my flocks through the years, I can judge that my pullets will be laying very soon.
I will be sure to let you know when I get my first pullet egg.
Have a nice day.

That is what I tell other members. Yes, some breeds can lay that early. It is really breed and time of year specific. Lots of breeds won't start till 22 to 30 weeks. Birds approaching POL age from spring to mid summer will start much earlier.

And you are right, I'm sorry I didn't mention it in my reply but you did say that the combs and wattles are growing and getting red so they are getting close.
I've raised white and black leghorns, anconas and jaers that all start early. But I would rather they wait till well past the 20 week mark and I sometimes keep them on short days to prevent early onset of lay. The only time I've had egg bound chickens is when they started too early.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

My Japanese Bantam hatched in July started laying in January (~26 weeks). My other two Japanese Bantams, Sebright, Old English Game Bantam, RIRs, and Barred Rock all hatched in November/December, started laying around 15-16 weeks. The only one I am still waiting on is my EE, who is ~31 weeks.

 

[Rbomar1970]

I'm super new to BYChickens.....my first clutch. Hatched and homed in March. My Roo is really looking for love at this point and he's coming along nicely. I have two BSL that are getting very very rosey in comb and wattle areas. Not adept enough at raising chickens yet to understand the signs of nesting and/or laying behavior. I've added wheat straw to the shavings in the coop. The girls really aren't interested in what Roo has to offer yet. At the same time, all the girls seem to be highly disturbed and really antsy. I'm sort of a crazy lady, as I'll sit in the yard with the girls (and Roo's) commune and generally just visit with the girls.

I did purchase for insect and egg production. I let them free range all day and only coop at night. I'm fairly sure of where to look for hidden treasures, just not sure when I should start my egg search. Such a newb.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

I'm super new to BYChickens.....my first clutch. Hatched and homed in March. My Roo is really looking for love at this point and he's coming along nicely. I have two BSL that are getting very very rosey in comb and wattle areas. Not adept enough at raising chickens yet to understand the signs of nesting and/or laying behavior. I've added wheat straw to the shavings in the coop. The girls really aren't interested in what Roo has to offer yet. At the same time, all the girls seem to be highly disturbed and really antsy. I'm sort of a crazy lady, as I'll sit in the yard with the girls (and Roo's) commune and generally just visit with the girls.

I did purchase for insect and egg production. I let them free range all day and only coop at night. I'm fairly sure of where to look for hidden treasures, just not sure when I should start my egg search. Such a newb.

Judging by their combs and wattles, it looks like you have a while longer to wait. I love that time of anticipation; now I am just like "What the heck do I do with all these eggs?!?" lol

 

[NewChickener784]

And just like that, today I plucked egg #2!

 

[CluckerCottage]

And just like that, today I plucked egg #2!

That is so great! Your chickies are 16 weeks old, correct?

 

[NewChickener784]

18-19 weeks.

 

[Choco Maran]

I had a Buff Orpington lay her first egg yesterday and she is 16-18 weeks old. Earlest eggs I have had. Normal may hens start at about 20 weeks.