My 5 mo Welsumer hen looks all ready but still no laying!

[Kool-Kemp]

I have a Welsumer hen I raised from chick that is almost 5 months old now. Her comb is all red, she squats when I put my hand on her, she sings the egg song and makes noise like my other laying hens, but no eggs anywhere. How?
I looked all over, and they free range inside my small backyard, so no bushes or any large building to hide eggs. I am really puzzled by this.

 

[nuthatched]

20 weeks is a bit young and with days short, she might not lay until January- February.

 

[Kool-Kemp]

20 weeks is a bit young and with days short, she might not lay until January- February.

But can they have all the signs of laying-ready but hold until spring? That’s what confused me

 

[nuthatched]

But can they have all the signs of laying-ready but hold until spring? That’s what confused me

They can, chickens live off spite and find great fun in driving us nuts.

 

[Tumbleweedlynn]

I have a Welsumer hen I raised from chick that is almost 5 months old now. Her comb is all red, she squats when I put my hand on her, she sings the egg song and makes noise like my other laying hens, but no eggs anywhere. How?
I looked all over, and they free range inside my small backyard, so no bushes or any large building to hide eggs. I am really puzzled by this.

I am waiting on some that are almost 6 months! Two are red, squat, but nada tostada!

 

[Mrs. K]

Me too. 5 pullets, red combs, shinny feathers, very mature looking and nada for eggs. I have a rooster, so they won't squat for me.

Squatting is a good sign, but it is usually 2+ weeks before they lay. Which will put you in the shortest days of the year...so maybe.

About the time you have completely given up on ever getting eggs, come to terms with the idea that you have been chosen to be the only chicken owner with an entire flock of non- laying birds, well, about a week later you get eggs!

Mrs K

 

[Tumbleweedlynn]

Me too. 5 pullets, red combs, shinny feathers, very mature looking and nada for eggs. I have a rooster, so they won't squat for me.

Squatting is a good sign, but it is usually 2+ weeks before they lay. Which will put you in the shortest days of the year...so maybe.

About the time you have completely given up on ever getting eggs, come to terms with the idea that you have been chosen to be the only chicken owner with an entire flock of non- laying birds, well, about a week later you get eggs!

Mrs K

That’s funny! You know, I actually watched my Georgina’s face, comb nd waddles get deep red when I went to the coop today, and as soon as she got in my lap, I watched them fade a little. Chickens are amazing

 

[gimmie birdies]

Welsummers are at least 6 months before laying leghorns lay at 5 months. 5 months is as early as chickens could start to lay. Not an average.

 

[Kool-Kemp]

She finally laid today (the darker one in the middle), so 6.5 months.
She laid in the run instead of the nest. Some of my hens did that when they first laid, but then got used to using the nest. Hopefully, this one will do the same.

 

[mrskenmore]

Congrats on her first egg! And a beautiful one too! Just in time for the US egg shortage!