Lay an egg or you will be dinner!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!!?!?!

[ILoveDaffy]

Okay, so my 2 nearly 7 month old and one 6 month hens still haven't layed an egg! What is going on!?! The 7 month olds are a Delaware and a Buff Orpington. The 5 or 6 month old is also a Buff. They are being handled less and less and bugged less and less. They are also in a fairly low stress environment. Where are the eggs?!? Also no, sadly, there is no way they are being hidden.

 

[ILoveDaffy]

Also no, we would never eat them, we love our hens.

 

[LaFleche]

These breeds are known to have a rather late start, be patient and provide protein and sunlight.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Are they squatting? Combs and wattles getting bigger and redder? Also can depend on where you live, if the days are alot shorter, then you may have to wait until Spring.
I have 11 "free loaders" as well. Ages between 17 and 26 weeks of age. I think we just have to be patient!

 

[jreardon1918]

I hear ya. They will lay soon. Soon of course is an inexact estimate.

We have three 22 week olds. No eggs. Coupled with the hens all on strike for the last month. Sad...

 

[chicken3fly]

I think my chickens started laying after about 8 months

 

[ILoveDaffy]

Thank you all! It is just frustrating to wait this long.

 

[RevlisRemmah]

It’s so hard to wait! I have 15 pullets that are 22 weeks old and only two have laid. Hoping you get some eggs soon!!

 

[HortonCreek]

FWIW, Our orpingtons took FOREVER to start laying. My favorite thing to tell them every morning from week 16 until about week 24 was “either give me breakfast or I’ll make you breakfast!” How’s your daylight hours at this point? They might be calling it for the year. (And no I would never eat my lovelies. That’s what I got quail for!)

 

[RainbowHen]

This time of year, with the days shortening, they may wait until spring