No eggs!!! What am I doing wrong?

[jessierose]

OK, I am very new to this. I got my RR reds about 3 months ago and they were about 5 months old. They have grown into beautiful little ladies but still haven't laid egg #1.
Should I worry? What can I do to encourage them? Should I feed them more/less/something special?
Help!

 

[Colored Egg Farmer]

First off need a little more info. What type of feed are you feeding them, do they have access to outside where they could possible hide eggs. and what type of light do they have and about how much each day.

 

[jessierose]

They are eating a Laying Mash which was recommended from the co-op, oyster shell, and grit is provided.
They have nowhere they could hide eggs. They are in a long run in shortish grass and their house is very easy to see all of.
They are outside most of the day getting lots of sunshine, grass, worms, water, fresh air, etc.
What else can I do?

 

[CATRAY44]

My RIR was almost 10 months old before she began laying. I have heard they can be late to mature. As long as they are not getting too many treats and have calcium available, I would just keep being patient.

 

[jessierose]

Could I be feeding them too much? There are 4 of them. How much food and oyster shell should I put out every day?

 

[Rivka]

Um...I don't mean to be smarty pants...but how sure are you they are not roosters? Do they exhibit any rooster behavior?

 

[Eastins Eggs]

5 months may be a little early yet give them a few more weeks before you start worrying.

 

[Bailey1234]

I think the OP said they are 8mos. I have a ee that didn't lay till 8mos. Easy to tell cause it's the only green layer.
How many hours of light are they getting?

 

[jenjscott]

so they are about 8 months? I would be expecting them to be laying, but sometimes they do run late. I freefed mine, they got all they wanted. I fed mine a layer pellet. I think they averaged 1 to 1-1/2 cups per day each. but thats just ballpark.

 

[chickabator]

I had 2 ee's that didn't lay till a week before they turned 1 yr. old. I wouldn't worry too much about it. one way to tell if they are getting ready to lay is go to pet their back and if they squat down to mating position they will be laying very shortly. also look at their combs and wattles they will get real red.