No combs

[Skipcurt]

Hi all, I have 5 hens that are roughly 12 wks old this week. I’ve been loosely planning on eggs in the next 6-8 weeks. One of the things I’ve read here about timing is that the combs will be bright/dark red but none of my birds really even have a comb yet. The breeds are 1 each of Barred Rock, Speckled Sussex, Welsummer, Gold Laced Wyandotte & an Easter Egger.
Will the combs grow that drastically over the next few weeks or is something else going on?

Skip

 

[staceyj]

You can’t rush Mother Nature skip so I hope baking a birthday cake isn’t in the planning.
I can’t say for all your breeds but...
Don’t expect eggs from a Welsummer until 22-26 weeks.

 

[imnukensc]

Same for the Barred Rock----about 22-26 weeks.

 

[Skipcurt]

I’m ok with waiting. This is my first go round with chickens and I’ve enjoyed it and been fun.
I just want to be sure I’m doing all I can for them...and me.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Try planning for eggs in more like twelve weeks. You haven't got any fast-maturing birds (i.e., Leghorns, ISAs, Production Reds...) Combs shouldn't start to turn bright red for about eight more weeks yet.

Good luck!

 

[Cindy in PA]

Most of my hens of any breed have started by 20 weeks, some (RSL & EEs) have started at 18. Rarely had a chicken not start by 22 weeks.

 

[auroaSfarm]

My chickens didn't start laying till 25-30 weeks, I also had silkies though and mille fleur d'uccle bantams.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Most of my hens of any breed have started by 20 weeks, some (RSL & EEs) have started at 18. Rarely had a chicken not start by 22 weeks.

I've never had an EE start at less than twenty-three weeks. Different strains, maybe?

 

[Skipcurt]

OK. Thanks for the responses. Guess I'll plan my sights on 20-24 wks. Not sure where I got my earlier information from but I'm glad I've been educated correctly now.

 

[Coop de Grass]

OK. Thanks for the responses. Guess I'll plan my sights on 20-24 wks. Not sure where I got my earlier information from but I'm glad I've been educated correctly now.

Waiting for that first egg is like waiting for that pot of water to boil!!! And even when 1 of your hens begins laying, you have to wait until each one has started. My first flock had Brahmas, Wyandottes, Buff Orpington, and Bielefelders. The bielefelders were the last to start laying at 24-26 weeks. I think the size of the breed has a lot to do with what age they start to lay.

Just sit back and enjoy the suspense!