Need help, please

[junebuggena]

Do you think she is ready to lay? First time having chickens

How old?

 

[junebuggena]

I live in the NW suburbs of Chicago. I bought some chicks in May. About a month ago, I was telling my neighbor that they were not laying yet. He told me to get a light and to put it in the coop. He said that it did not matter when to add the light, simply to give them 5 extra hours a day. I set the light on a timer in the evening. Now I have come to find out that I may be harming my chickens by making them lay in the winter and I also came to know that I should have put the light on in the morning rather than at night. What should I do? As I stated, the light has been coming on now for about a month. I would like to discontinue the light all together, but I read that they might molt as a result? Is that true? I feel that that would be bad for them as the cold weather is coming. I need advice, please. I want eggs, but I want to do what is best for the well being of my birds. Thank you.

They will lay when they are ready. Pullets that mature in the fall/winter do take a bit longer to start laying. Most breeds start laying by about 6 months of age, your's are still a bit young. Keep treats to a minimum and make sure that they have unlimited access to a high protein feed (not layer). Have some crushed oyster shell available, too.

 

[nenapen]

How old?

she is about 5 months old.

 

[drumstick diva]

agree with junebuggena

 

[Little Fuzzy]

No. If thats a White leghorn. My white leghorn''s comb was much bigger than yours. If its some other white breed them I'm not sure. I'm no expert.

 

[lazy gardener]

IMO, that bird is too heavy through the body to be a leghorn.

 

[lazy gardener]

IMO, that bird is too heavy through the body to be a leghorn.