please help this first timer understand... why are my hens not laying yet?

[jennifer0224]

hi!

I have 8 chicks, 4 are 22 weeks old and 4 are 18 weeks old. All different breeds. 2 of ky older ones (RIR and GLW) have had deep red, fleshy combs and wattles for over a month. I finally got my FIRST egg last Saturday!!! And... nothing since. It has been 6 days.

It's not like i only have late maturing breeds. There are Welsummers, Easter Eggers, and other breeds in there. We are in CA and it has been 100+ degrees since Saturday, but honestly that is how hot it has been most days since May... and why the one lonely egg and nothing else? I am making myself (and my husband) crazy over this.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Heat is a stressor that limits feed intake. With bright red combs, laying should be imminent.
Days are starting to get shorter so that tends to slow onset of lay.
What are they being fed and have been fed while growing?


Patience is a virtue and I WANT IT NOW!!!

 

[jennifer0224]

So if they will not lay in our heat and they will not lay through the winter.... haha.

They were fed regular chick starter until just a few days ago when I switched them to layer feed. They also get produce scraps and/or oatmeal every day and they escape the run and eat their way through our garden each and every evening (need to redo their fence). We are in the suburbs so I would notice if they were laying somewhere else on our smallish lot.

It is supposed to cool down this weekend... maybe I will get an egg a week.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Sounds like their food has been fine.
Heat does slow down laying but you're dealing with a different issue, they are just pullets. Depending on the breed, onset of lay can be anywhere from 17-30 weeks, all things considered.
First year layers usually lay right through the winter so I think you're OK on that point this winter. Also, you likely don't have severe winters.
Chickens stop laying during molt which is usually their second autumn and each thereafter. Some will start up after they grow a new winter down coat and others will wait till after winter solstice when days lengthen.

 

[jennifer0224]

I did not know that they lay through their first winter! Awesome.

Thanks! I guess I will just grit my teeth and keep checking the box three times a day. 30 weeks, no no no. I have not felt this kind of anticipation since I was pregnant, sheesh. Kind of ridiculous I know.

 

[lysanderish]

It can also take up to a month for them to have a regular laying cycle. My first layer only took about a week, but my ee, the last to start laying, took longer to get a routine going.

 

[Mutt Farm]

hi!

I have 8 chicks, 4 are 22 weeks old and 4 are 18 weeks old. All different breeds. 2 of ky older ones (RIR and GLW) have had deep red, fleshy combs and wattles for over a month. I finally got my FIRST egg last Saturday!!! And... nothing since. It has been 6 days.

It's not like i only have late maturing breeds. There are Welsummers, Easter Eggers, and other breeds in there. We are in CA and it has been 100+ degrees since Saturday, but honestly that is how hot it has been most days since May... and why the one lonely egg and nothing else? I am making myself (and my husband) crazy over this.

They're not laying cause they're not ready or don't want to. I'm right there with you. I have 3 BO's, 26 weeks, 3 EE's 24 weeks. 1 or sometimes 2 eggs a day from 6 hens. I made myself crazy too. running down there at the crack of dawn, every time I heard a squawk...I can't say about the heat making them not lay. i'm here in So Cal and it's over 100 every day here as well. One nice egg this am, One deformed egg this afternoon. I'll happen.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The breed I currently raise usually start up at about 24 to 26 weeks. However none of this year's pullets have started laying yet. They hatched in January, February, March and April. I'm getting impatient because I have 4 broody hens (not laying) and most of the rest are starting to molt. I went from about 15 eggs a day and now 2 to 4 a day.
At least the delayed onset will give their systems time to mature so first eggs should be bigger than normal pullet eggs.

 

[Pork Pie]

Could it be that the one hen that is laying has decided to lay somewhere in the garden maybe? I had that experience with one of my hens when she just started laying.