Laying question

[mertzy1963]

I have 3 Golden Laced Wyandotte's that are 6 1/2 months old, 2 Buff Orpingtons 6 1/2 months old, 1 of my Buffs has been laying about 6 weeks now, the other started laying last week, our days are short here in Wisconsin, and its getting cold, my question is will my GLW's start laying or will they wait until spring?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They will start. Mine started last year around 7 months of age and laid pretty well.

 

[aart]

They will start.....

....but who knows when?!
Might not be until after the Winter Solstice....how long after remains to be seen.

Curious, if you are using supplemental lighting @mertzy1963 ?
@oldhenlikesdogs , I don't think you use lights, but did your GLW start laying in December?

 

[mertzy1963]

....but who knows when?!
Might not be until after the Winter Solstice....how long after remains to be seen.

Curious, if you are using supplemental lighting @mertzy1963 ?
@oldhenlikesdogs , I don't think you use lights, but did your GLW start laying in December?

No, I don't use any extra lighting......

 

[azygous]

I've never had a pullet begin laying when the days are getting shorter as they now are. Even with extra lighting, it was after January when they squirted out their first eggs.

But you never know. Egg laying appears to be an individual decision. I just had a young EE go through her first molt and she just laid her first egg after completing molt. This is a singular event, never happened before in the month with the shortest days.

 

[aart]

Even with extra lighting, it was after January when they squirted out their first eggs.

My first flock had some pullets with the adults, they laid first egg on Solstice Day, with lighting.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

....but who knows when?!
Might not be until after the Winter Solstice....how long after remains to be seen.

Curious, if you are using supplemental lighting @mertzy1963 ?
@oldhenlikesdogs , I don't think you use lights, but did your GLW start laying in December?

Yes they did. I generally get my chicks the end of May into June. They are always laying by the end of December, with some starting up in November. Wyandotte are slower to start in general, at least as fall maturing birds. My single BLRW I got this year hasn't started yet, but they aren't as good of layers as the gold and silver laced are. I found the gold laced to be the best as far as laying.

Oh, and I don't use extra light.

 

[lazy gardener]

I'm still waiting for my Columbian Wyandottes to start laying. They were hatched 4/11. These gals are massive, but no eggs yet. I'm hoping the wait is worth it.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm still waiting for my Columbian Wyandottes to start laying. They were hatched 4/11. These gals are massive, but no eggs yet. I'm hoping the wait is worth it.

In my experiences most varieties of Wyandotte are bums. I haven't tried the Columbian yet. It will be interesting to see which side of the fence they land on.

 

[aart]

In my experiences most varieties of Wyandotte are bums.

...and bullies. Have had GLW before and SLW now.