Not laying yet.

[RenaT87]

I got a variety of pullets as babies back in July and none of them has started laying yet. A lady that got some at the same time I did and same place says hers been laying. What can I do to help my girls start laying? Is this normal?

 

[Lizzy733]

What breeds are they and what are they currently being offered for feed? Production birds generally start laying around 18 weeks old; heritage breeds can take around 25 weeks to start and may wait till spring to get started if it's currently winter where you are.
Early signs they are getting close to lay aside from reddening of their comb would be shifts in their behavior - they may become more noisy, scratch more vigorously, and act very anxious - a few weeks to a month before starting. If they see you as the head of the flock, they will brace themselves and go into a 'squat' when you come near. This generally occurs around a week before they lay their first egg.

 

[Trimurtisan]

I got a variety of pullets as babies back in July and none of them has started laying yet. A lady that got some at the same time I did and same place says hers been laying. What can I do to help my girls start laying? Is this normal?

Hmm. How old are the birds? What breed are they? Is the other lady using a light in her coop? In general a lot of chickens are not laying right now due to the season. The day light hours are getting longer though, so production should pick up soon. Right now I've only got ducks laying, but the chickens are on pause.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's normal. I don't know if your flock has the same breeds this other person has, but that's part of it. Even if you both do have the same breeds you'll get variations from bird to bird, flock to flock, and the season also has an impact due to reduced daylight hours). Not sure what you're feeding them but just continue providing a diet of fresh, quality grower or all flock feed.

All of my birds have been late starters (born in late May, don't start laying until maybe late Dec/Jan).