Is it possible my girls will wait for spring?

[debid]

My folks bought their first chicks in August and that batch did wait until the days started to lengthen to lay. This time, we split an order of mid-spring chicks and some that have been slower to mature (Speckled Sussex) are just starting to lay now (~30 weeks). Still waiting on all four of the 33-week Welsummers... I sure hope we aren't waiting until next spring!

BUT, I'd think that if you're seeing squatting, the time is very near. If you have any of the later/slower breeds, you may have more waiting ahead.

 

[moodlymoo]

I have a 30week BLRW gal who is huge, very dark red face and can put 3 fingers between her pelvic bones. What is squatting? Every time I walk up to her she takes off. I have caught her singing the egg song twice right after we got her but nothing. I got chickens for eggs

not for feeding my dogs steamy chicken treats

 

[sgtmom52]

I have both FBCMs and Ameraucanas that hatched in April that just started laying this week. If they follow what their mothers did last year they will lay all winter.

 

[Hiram]

Quote:
Squatting is when the hen prepares to be mounted. When they're egg laying age, they start looking for a little action. If her comb has developed and she's squatting, you'll soon have an egg.

 

[featherz]

My guess is they won't wait for spring. None of mine did last year. I hatched a pile of chicks in August last year and they started laying in January with no light, no heat and lots of snow. I was pretty surprised, but they all started laying around the same time!

My April chickens are all laying - I do light their coop and they seem to be ramping up the eggs, so hopefully that will continue for their first winter.

 

[Tracydr]

Got an Easter Egg today!

And, everybody else is trying out the nest boxes, squatting, squawking, acting like they need to lay too. All the breeds except the OEGBs are from June 10. The OE started laying a month ago. I put lights on them last month, too.

 

[m.kitchengirl]

I thought mine were waiting until spring, and yesterday found an egg. Today, before work, I found another! When I got home from work this afternoon, another! Three in two days. Mine are 28 weeks, and late to start.
The other night the man of the house turned the back light on (near the coop). He had heard coyotes & wanted to make sure all was well. He left the light on overnight 2 nights. I won't let him turn the darn thing off now. Not until I get a light in the coop.

Don't give up all hope. Or, maybe you should. I did weeks ago, probably why they started cooperating.