No eggs at 17 weeks

[Flame80]

My white leghorns are 17 weeks old and have not laid the first egg yet. They go up in their coop where the nesting boxes are every night. But I see IN FRONT of the nesting boxes they waller out areas in the wood shavings like nests. But do not go into the boxes where I have hay in there? Not sure what is going on. They have been on grower feed for 10 weeks and I have been putting grit out for about a month now. Am I just trying to rush them? I read that whiteleghorns tend to lay earlier than other breeds so was hopeul to have eggs by 16 weeks. I have been "smoothing back over" the wallered out spots in front of the nesting boxes hoping they will use the box instead. Should I not do that? Just let them lay wherever they feel comfortable?

 

[KarynVA]

Are their combs and wattles bright red? That will occur a week or two before they start laying, as I understand it.

 

[The Happster]

Don't bother smoothing it over. They'll just kick it back up again. Put something egg-like in the nesting box. That could be a golf ball or two. And then wait.
16 weeks is a rough estimate. They aren't all going to start then. Majority of chicken breeds begin at 4-5 months.

 

[keesmom]

Five months of age is generally the earliest some start laying.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Most of my readings suggest White Leghorns begin laying about 20 weeks on average, though as early as 17 weeks isn't unheard of. I'm in similar position, you can see my flock in my sig, below. Theoretically, my Comets should have started - the beginning of their expected laying range was two, almost three, weeks ago. My Rainbows also should have started, about a week ago (6 days, but who is anxiously counting, right?).

NO EGGS.

Otoh, one of my Pekins is laying - about three weeks early. and also, I believe (though I've not caught her doing the deed) one of my Cornish Cross (data on CX as layers is sparse and ranges wildly, not sure if its in the normal range or not). My other Pekin hens, and the other CX pullet, are not.

I counsel patience, and share in your suffering. We can commiserate together. When a hen starts laying is not so reliable that we can set a calendar by it, best we can do is mark a month and expect it will frequently be true.

 

[AgnesGray]

Mine started laying at around 18 weeks or so. My orpingtons actually started laying younger than the White Leghorns did so there are no 100%s. I second the suggestion to put some fake eggs where you want them to lay. Not only does it show them the right place, but also can encourage them to start laying.

 

[Flame80]

Thanks all!! I have some fake eggs I will put in the nests. Also only 3 out of the 6 birds have bright red comb and wattles so I guess I'm getting close!!

 

[CaroleW]

May also depend on how much daylight you are getting in your location. This time of year days are getting shorter so less eggs are laid naturally. You could use supplemental lighting to get the hours of daylight closer to 14 hours (I believe that is for optimum laying- please do your own research) if you want to force the issue. Some are opposed to this, I don't use it being in AZ.

Also have you started to mix in layer feed yet?

 

[Flame80]

On the feed... yes, I am using a grower feed now instead of chick starter. I just came in from putting my fake eggs in the nests. I have 3 nests. I kinda experimented with what eggs I had. Some white and some brown. I realize my white leghorns eggs will be white. But I do have 3 domoniques that are 6 weeks behind in age and they will lay brown eggs. Anyway... my experiment, I put 2 white eggs in one nest,2 brown eggs in one nest, and one brown and one white in the 3rd nest. Should it matter? Or should I put all white eggs in for now just to cater to the white leghorns?? These are exciting times for me. I just don't want to screw something up!!

 

[LizzzyJo]