My Silkies are 7 months old whezn will she start laying

[Denise661]

Will they start laying this year? I have 3 pullet and 2 Roosters.
I don't see them trying :/
Is there anything I need to do.?
With all that fluffed around my pullets bottom do I trimme the feathers? Or the roosters?

 

[Debbi]

You didn't say where you are, but if it's really hot, that can delay their laying. My girls here started laying at right around 5 months old. Then they all went broody, and they are now all laying again in this heat (100+*). I don't trim mine at all, and fertility does not seem to be an issue here, I have LOTS of babies running around.

 

[Denise661]

Sorry, I live in California (Kern county ) its been hot between 100-109 today and tomorrow will be 109.

 

[aoxa]

They may not start laying until it cools down.. I am not familiar with heat that high, but my silkies started laying right around the age yours are currently at.. Though we rarely hit 90. Do you have any methods of cooling them off? Silkies can overheat really fast.

 

[4hchickmama]

I''m in Ca too...Placer county. My two girls are roughly the same age give or take a week or two and one started laying back in May when they were 5 months and one only just started laying a week ago. The other STOPPED laying a few weeks back. Could be the heat, could be that she is moulting.

I think the heat is causing issues with them.

Your pullets should be laying soon!

p.s. I have a very very dark blue and she overheats a lot quicker than my splash. Some people use misters, some pans of cool water, and others fans. Just make sure they have access to shade and fresh water at all times. It's supposed to be 108 here today. I'm not pleased.

 

[Denise661]

They have shade all over under a huge mulberry tree.how could I tell when there not doing too good in the heat? I see no difference in them, same when the weather is 80 so just curious.

 

[4hchickmama]

They have shade all over under a huge mulberry tree.how could I tell when there not doing too good in the heat? I see no difference in them, same when the weather is 80 so just curious.

Mine will pant like a dog. Mouth open. Something else that works good is old water bottles tossed in the freezer to make ice blocks...just like for a rabbit. My girls like this a lot. Take out at the end of the day and refreeze for the next.