Pullets are 22 weeks old not laying yet?

[OB OBrien]

My Pullets are 22 weeks old and not laying yet? They are free range and I have checked real close and there are no nests under the bushes. In the coop, where they eat, water and roost, are 8 nest boxes.

Should I lock em up and stop the free range and put in some false eggs till they get the idea and start laying. Or am I just jumping the gun and need to wait a little while longer?

Thanks for all your expert advice.
OB

 

[PirateGirl]

Try to be patient. They will lay. Eventually. They are all on their own agenda, and the length of days has a lot to do with it. I think my last chicken laid at 11 months of age. Is this the norm, no, but she was healthy and that was the time that was right for her.

 

[Al Capon]

I'd for sure put the false eggs out now. Give them plenty of time to look at em and figure out where they're supposed to lay.

 

[lilmillefleur]

Two of my four pullets just started laying at 25 weeks

 

[Aceoky]

What breed(s)? Combs/wattles? Besides free range what are they getting to eat & how much (free choice or?) etc.

 

[sourland]

Conceivably they may wait until spring to initiate laying.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Patience is the key here, your girls will do what they do in their own time.
Breed and family genetics matter, and the season, so enjoy them now and when you start getting those yummy eggs!
Mary

 

[BigATC]

I've 19 hens at 21 weeks. Two of the Orpingtons and two of the Barred Rocks have started laying but the rest are still biding their time. The rest of the flock is Orpingtons, BRs, EEs, Wyandottes, and Brahmas. Waiting for the winter solstice perhaps!

Oh and x2 on the fake eggs!

 

[GC-Raptor]

at 21 weeks. Two of the Orpingtons and two of the Barred Rocks have started laying

Yea, My Barred Rocks are 17 weeks. 23 weeks is the youngest that I've read this past week of Barred Rocks laying, till now. I'm glad to see 2 of yours have started, by 21 weeks. Gives me hope that mine could start mid January.
Last week one of the nests was made into a bowl shape. I added some Ceramic eggs. .
I also hung a pail with Oyster Shells. They went Nuts for it. But that has past. .
They are on a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower 18%. GC

 

[LizzzyJo]

My orpingtons did not start laying until well into their 6th month. I got 2-3 soft shelled eggs then they began to lay regularly. I did not put any fake eggs in their boxes or anything. They just laid when they were ready.