Patience is NOT my strong suit!

[Rusty Hills Farm]

RIRs. Great egg layers. I had a flock for years. They were stolen and I kinda quit raising chickens for a bit. Got bit by the bug this year and started a new RIR flock (9 and 1). They are from Meyer and have done great! But the website says we should see our first eggs between 16-20 weeks. We're now into week 23 and they are PLAYING with the fake eggs from the nests with not a hint that they recognize that THEY are supposed to be laying their own!!

This is Alabama, so lows are in the 40s and highs around 70. Sunny more often than not. They've been on Layena for weeks. They are not stressed that I'm aware of. They have a nice BIG run. Look and act healthy as all get-out. Our rooster is a gentleman.... So I am STUMPED!

Rusty

 

[6BeachChicks]

RIRs. Great egg layers. I had a flock for years. They were stolen and I kinda quit raising chickens for a bit. Got bit by the bug this year and started a new RIR flock (9 and 1). They are from Meyer and have done great! But the website says we should see our first eggs between 16-20 weeks. We're now into week 23 and they are PLAYING with the fake eggs from the nests with not a hint that they recognize that THEY are supposed to be laying their own!!

This is Alabama, so lows are in the 40s and highs around 70. Sunny more often than not. They've been on Layena for weeks. They are not stressed that I'm aware of. They have a nice BIG run. Look and act healthy as all get-out. Our rooster is a gentleman.... So I am STUMPED!

Rusty

Maybe there isn’t enough daylight. Give them oyster shells too!

 

[WhySayWhat]

I got my pullets from Meyer back at the end of April. Out of 13 surviving (1 was a cockerel and 1 was DOA), I only get 8-10 eggs a day, max. I still have 1-3 pullets that do not lay at all.

 

[aart]

They've been on Layena for weeks.

How many weeks?

PLAYING with the fake eggs from the nests

How long have they been doing this?
Messing in the nests is usually a sure sign that eggs are near.

Might be time for an exam:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Folly's place]

Layena is meant for birds actively laying eggs, not for growing pullets not yet in lay. An all-flock diet with higher protein, and separate oyster shell, would be better for them.
Many pullets will lay eggs their first winter even without added lighting, but not all. Consider adding a small light on a timer, 3am to 8am every morning.
And time of first egg will vary!
Mary

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have 4 RIR and had 4 BR, (one was injured by a Bobcat), 3 BR now.

I bought my chicks May 15 from TSC, estimate they were 3 days old.
I got my first egg at 21 weeks old, all 8 were laying at 23 weeks. I do add lights in the morning at 5 am.

I kept them on a Starter-Grower feed 18% till 20 weeks old when Starter-Grower feed was nearly gone then switched to Layena 16% mixing feeds for about a week.

We're now into week 23 and they are PLAYING with the fake eggs from the nests with not a hint that they recognize that THEY are supposed to be laying their own!!

So yours are 3 weeks behind mine and with shorter days, (I don't know if you add lights), it could delay onset of lay.

They've been on Layena for weeks.

How long? Switching to a lower Protein feed can also delay onset of lay.
I usually wait till first egg before switching, but at 20 weeks my Pullets were looking and acting ready so I switched early as I already had 3 hens in a separate coop on a Layer feed.

Here's some photos of my pullets at 20 weeks old.

I hope yours begin soon. GC

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

Wahoo! Got our first egg today!

 

[Sally PB]

Congratulations! First eggs are magical.

 

[djjin14568]

Congrats! Contrary to your title, it sounds like your patience paid off. .

Also, Rhode Island Reds are simply awesome!

 

[Happy hen lover]

Wahoo! Got our first egg today!

View attachment 2897765

Yay the first egg is do exciting!