Laying age during fall season start

[Zackman23434]

My hens will be 14 weeks this coming Friday the 11th. Which means they are approaching laying age in the midst of a season change. I'm wondering what will happen if I don't supplement light in a few weeks. Will they just go all winter without starting to lay their first eggs until spring? Is this bad for them? Or would it actually be better for them to develop and grow even more without laying until possible 8-9 months of age?

I probably won't supplement light unless there is evidence to support an opinion that it would be detrimental to their health to start laying at 8-9 months of age or longer.
I'm sure someone can chime in who have had hens become mature during the fall season.

 

[walker1229]

following, mine will be the same, they should start laying in November but due to the season wondering if they will lay or not as well.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

My experience is that when it is their first laying cycle it is not as impacted by daylight hours as it is with the subsequent laying cycles - meaning that my pullets start laying on "schedule" (per age) regardless of the time of year. That said, it won't be detrimental to their health if the onset of production is delayed.

 

[Blooie]

x2 I think I'd just let them be and not worry about supplemental lighting, especially this early in the laying game. Their bodies will tell them when to start. My first year pullets laid like crazy all winter here in Wyoming. They forgot to read the book that says they are supposed to slow down during winter. I know it will be different with them this year since they've been laying now through all four seasons. I guess my theory on supplemental lighting for egg laying is a little old fashioned.....I figure if their bodies are telling them that winter is the time for them to rest and build up strength for the next laying season, then who am I to quibble? They need all of their internal resources for staying warm and healthy during those long, dark months. But as I said, that's just me and there are lots of folks on here who do supplement with light and have had no issues at all.

Good luck! You'll love getting that first egg, but every egg even after that seems like a gift. I know, I'm corny. I'm going back to my corner and behave myself now.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

x2 I think I'd just let them be and not worry about supplemental lighting, especially this early in the laying game. Their bodies will tell them when to start. My first year pullets laid like crazy all winter here in Wyoming. They forgot to read the book that says they are supposed to slow down during winter. I know it will be different with them this year since they've been laying now through all four seasons. I guess my theory on supplemental lighting for egg laying is a little old fashioned.....I figure if their bodies are telling them that winter is the time for them to rest and build up strength for the next laying season, then who am I to quibble? They need all of their internal resources for staying warm and healthy during those long, dark months. But as I said, that's just me and there are lots of folks on here who do supplement with light and have had no issues at all.

Good luck! You'll love getting that first egg, but every egg even after that seems like a gift. I know, I'm corny. I'm going back to my corner and behave myself now.

X 2 - This is where keeping a multi-generational flock is handy - you always have some pullets in their first cycle to keep the eggs rolling through winter and no need to mess with the biological clocks of the birds in their subsequent laying cycles.

 

[Mutt Farm]

Following. First year flock here I'm in So Cal so days stay longer later. Sunrise 6:30 sunset about 7 right now. My youngest are 17 weeks. I'm going to use timer lights at 5AM through Dec.then discontinue artificial lighting till April. We'll see.