Pullets are laying age but still no eggs (in extreme heat)

[Better Than Rubies]

I have four roughly 19 or 18-and-a-half-week old pullets (BR, SLW, EE, and possible Amberlink), and two nearing 18-weeks old, I believe (a BSL and Production Red). Three of my birds aren't squatting, and three are (and the Production Red has been for quite some time now). Two of my birds--the EE and Amberlink--don't have reddened combs yet, and my Amberlink I think still needs to get a bigger one, anyways, nor are those two squatting...so I'm sure they won't be laying for a bit now. My BSL matured very slowly...except for her comb; her comb got color at a SUPER early age, and now at almost 18-weeks (more or less), it's a super deep red--and has been for quite a while now--and already part of it leans to one side, but she's not squatting yet, so until then, I'd imagine I still have a little wait for her to lay eggs. Now, let me move on to the ones I think should be laying very soon. My Wyandotte, Lacey, was freakin' wild for a LONG time, but she's been...a lot calmer lately. She got a purple comb at a fairly early age, which was weird, but now it's finally just a super deep red. And yesterday she squatted for me to pet her! It was the first time she willingly let me pet her when she wasn't roosting to go to sleep. I feel like she should be laying now, but as far as I know, she's still not. Isabelle, my BR, just recently started squatting as soon as I reach the run door to open it, and I'm standing above her; and her comb--I just discovered yesterday--is now big enough to also partially flop to the side a little. But it's actually not red enough yet. Do you think she will lay once it turns a bright red? And last, Emma, my PR. Like I said, she's been squatting for quite a while now, and her comb too, flops to the side a tad, and is a 'bright cherry red.' She shows symptoms of about-to-lay-eggs, too...except, she hasn't yet.

Our winter was a weird one, but then spring was almost missed, it seems, and then summer seemed to come quickly. We've been frequently having scorching hot days, and even though the pullets aren't as big as full-grown chickens yet, it's so super hard on them. Don't you think at the very least that Emma should be laying by now? But none of them are. Could it be the heat? And/or do you think they're stressed out from it?, or other things could be causing them stress where they won't lay. I just a day or two ago began adding layer pellets in their starter/grower crumbles, to help their bodies prepare for the big change.

I hope this wasn't confusing to read! (And sorry it's so long; I just figured the details may be helpful).

And one last thing...kind of just for fun: For those of you who's had/has the types of breeds I have, what age did yours start laying?

 

[AlleysChicks]

They are still pretty young. Yours are at the early end of the range. Don’t be surprised if they are 24+ weeks when you get an egg.

 

[GC-Raptor]

And yesterday she squatted for me to pet her! It was the first time

I don't have any of your breeds. I have Golden Comets a sex-links type of chicken.
They are known to lay early. My first of five laid at exactly 4 months. July 30. The last to lay 19 weeks.
If I remember correctly it's about 10-15 days from first squat to first egg. .
This is my first to lay, yes I was there. This is right after she came out of the coop, .yes it was hot. GC

 

[lazy gardener]

Your birds are reaching, or have reached puberty right along with the longest days of the year. This goes in their favor for early laying. Are you sure they are not hiding eggs somewhere in your yard?

My EE have laid any where from 16W to 10 months, but most have been 16 week starters! A lot of my home bred girls have started laying at 16-18 weeks. I find the Wyandottes to be a bit on the slow side. BR tend to be fairly early: before 20W. A lot depends on the strain of the bird, when they are reaching sexual maturity in relation to the solstice, and how much protein they are getting.

 

[gator75]

18 weeks is young.

 

[Better Than Rubies]

They are still pretty young. Yours are at the early end of the range. Don’t be surprised if they are 24+ weeks when you get an egg.

I know.. I'm just really hoping they lay soon, since they're showing signs of maturity.

Your birds are reaching, or have reached puberty right along with the longest days of the year. This goes in their favor for early laying. Are you sure they are not hiding eggs somewhere in your yard?

My EE have laid any where from 16W to 10 months, but most have been 16 week starters! A lot of my home bred girls have started laying at 16-18 weeks. I find the Wyandottes to be a bit on the slow side. BR tend to be fairly early: before 20W. A lot depends on the strain of the bird, when they are reaching sexual maturity in relation to the solstice, and how much protein they are getting.

Yeah, that's what I thought!

Hmm, I really don't think they are. But after reading that, I did check a lot of areas of the yard, especially their favorite hangout spots. But I didn't find any eggs anywhere in the yard. I actually feel like my EE is going to be one of those slow-maturing ones, unfortunately.

We recently picked up a small bag of mealworms, which I know has a high percent of protein... My BSL loves them! =)

18 weeks is young.

I know.

I don't have any of your breeds. I have Golden Comets a sex-links type of chicken.
They are known to lay early. My first of five laid at exactly 4 months. July 30. The last to lay 19 weeks.
If I remember correctly it's about 10-15 days from first squat to first egg.View attachment 1455801.
This is my first to lay, yes I was there. This is right after she came out of the coop,View attachment 1455803 .yes it was hot. GC

Thanks for that detailed info from your experience! I appreciate it.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

I have four that are 20 weeks old. One of my black sex links started laying at 18 weeks. She was way ahead of the others with signs of laying. My other black sex link has been squatting for over a week, and scratching in the nesting boxes, but hasn't laid yet.
One of my buff orps has had full, red comb and wattles for three weeks now, and started squatting and checking out the nesting box as well. The other buff orp doesn't even have her comb and wattles yet, and just started getting color in her faces.

So the age itself doesn't seem to matter. Good luck! The first eggs are exciting!

 

[Nats Chickens]

My hens don't lay in extreme heat, and 18 weeks is really young to start laying, [though mine started at 18 or nineteen weeks, possibly even 17 weeks!] so don't expect them to lay so early, especially in extreme heat. [mine are laying quite well in the middle of winter! crazy hens...]

 

[Better Than Rubies]

I have four that are 20 weeks old. One of my black sex links started laying at 18 weeks. She was way ahead of the others with signs of laying. My other black sex link has been squatting for over a week, and scratching in the nesting boxes, but hasn't laid yet.
One of my buff orps has had full, red comb and wattles for three weeks now, and started squatting and checking out the nesting box as well. The other buff orp doesn't even have her comb and wattles yet, and just started getting color in her faces.

So the age itself doesn't seem to matter. Good luck! The first eggs are exciting!

My hens don't lay in extreme heat, and 18 years is really young to start laying, [though mine started at 18 or nineteen weeks, possibly even 17 weeks!] so don't expect them to lay so early, especially in extreme heat. [mine are laying quite well in the middle of winter! crazy hens...]

Thanks for the help, you two!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I have four roughly 19 or 18-and-a-half-week old pullets (BR, SLW, EE, and possible Amberlink), and two nearing 18-weeks old, I believe (a BSL and Production Red). Three of my birds aren't squatting, and three are (and the Production Red has been for quite some time now). Two of my birds--the EE and Amberlink--don't have reddened combs yet, and my Amberlink I think still needs to get a bigger one, anyways, nor are those two squatting...so I'm sure they won't be laying for a bit now. My BSL matured very slowly...except for her comb; her comb got color at a SUPER early age, and now at almost 18-weeks (more or less), it's a super deep red--and has been for quite a while now--and already part of it leans to one side, but she's not squatting yet, so until then....

A better indicator of a hen being ready to lay is the texture of her face and head. Of course these two things are very close to her comb. Her face should be rough or bumpy in appearance sort of like a very overly ripe strawberry.