Pullets laying ? and what new breeds to add for more egg production ?

[SSAcres]

Thanks krc and MizM!! I appreciate the input.

MizM... how are your girl's disposition?

For anyone.... Is there a breed on my list that's been proven to lay for years and years fairly consistently? I have six breeds on my list and need to narrow that down to three, for now. See how that goes and maybe add more later. And if we order pullets this spring, what breed(s) will start laying before winter? It seems the Jersey Giants are slower to mature due to their size and same w/ the Black Australorps. And would the Black Orpington's lay as well as the Buff? They're not on my list, but have been considered.

Thanks again everyone for your help w/ this. I never thought I'd fall in love w/ chickens, but alas I have. I'm having a lot of fun w/ them.

L.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I got black JGs, BOs and Rocks at the same time. They hit 20 weeks when the days were getting shorter so at 23 weeks with no eggs I added light to bring daylength to 14 hours. A week later I got an egg, 2 weeks later I got an egg from every bird in the flock so they basically all started at the same time if that answers your question.
Chickens (like all animals) are born with all the eggs they'll ever lay. Breeds that are fast starters like egg hybrids laying almost an egg a day tend to play out after just a couple years. Heritage breeds that lay on the order of 3 to 5 a week can lay up to 10 years or more. Adding light through the winter you'll get more consistency but they'll also use up those eggs sooner.
They'll normally molt their second autumn during which time they won't lay at all. Sometimes they are slow to start up again in the winter. After they do, they lay less frequently but bigger eggs. Every year the eggs are fewer regardless of the breed.

 

[SSAcres]

Yes, that helps, thank you! We are probably going to order chicks next month sometime. Nothing like baby chicks for a birthday present! YAY! Still haven't narrowed my list down, but I will eventually.

Seven eggs yesterday and five so far today! So proud of those girls. They're really starting to get the hang of this egg laying thing.

L.

 

[SSAcres]

The girls are really coming through w/ eggs now. We've had 31 total in the last 5 days!! I think that's pretty good for this breed and for them being young. Ordered 3 more breeds last night to add to our little flock. So looking forward to raising them and getting even more eggs. I need a basket!!