red combs, lustful eyes, no eggs

[sarahdell]

Hey! On average how long after a hens combs turn red do they start to lay? I have 4 hens, that are 20 weeks, combs have been red for about 2 weeks, they eat layer feed, fresh fruits an veggies, always have water, an are only fenced in at night. I thought maybe they were laying in the woods so I kept them pinned for a few days an still no eggs. I have fresh, clean straw in the lay boxes along with golf balls an nothing..... One of the hens willing mates with one of the Roos, I know they will lay with out a Roo, but just figured we'd of had an egg by now.... Or maybe I'm impatient! Any advice would be wonderful!

 

[QueenMisha]

Hens lay anywhere between 20 and 24 weeks, and some can lay as late as 28. And red combs are a good sign! They'll probably lay within the next month. In the week or two prior to laying you might see behavior like nesting, "singing", and pacing.

If you really feel like they ought to be laying but something is wrong, it's possible your roo is stressing them. Unless the roo is very gentle (an exceptional bird), the recommended ratio is 1 rooster to 8 hens, or he can stress them enough that they lay fewer eggs, lay later, or even stop laying once started. If he is stressing them, you'll see signs of it; the hens will become scared and flighty, and probably lose feathers from their back, neck, and tail.

But if the hens seem to be acting normally, you're probably just impatient. In time, they will lay.

 

[sarahdell]

I have other hens but only 4 have turned red

Mr Anthony is as gentle as a bull in a china cabinet being chased by a lion on a greased floor..... But I have been checking the hens an no balding or blood! Which is good! The hens seem normal, clucking around, dirt baths an stick with Anthony all day, they dont seem to be scared of him. I'm probably just being impatient! The suspense is killing me slowly!

 

[QueenMisha]

Yup sounds like a case of excitement... Don't worry, it'll make you even happier when they lay their first eggs!

 

[sarahdell]

I think I'm more worried about eggs being laid in the woods than not getting eggs if that makes sense? We have 3 miles of woods all the way around us! They are outside sun up to sun down free. I just hope they are not laying were I wont find the eggs!

 

[Diney]

I am also impatiently waiting for the first egg, and also worried that they won't lay the eggs in the nesting boxes but outside somewhere. I have one rooster and 8 hens.

 

[sarahdell]

I am impatiently waiting! I have as followed:

2 20w black Australorps 1 hen 1 too

2 20w barred Plymouth rocks 1 hen 1 roo

2 20w Easter eggs both hens

2 13w isa browns hens

3 13w Easter eggers 2 i think are roos an 1 hen

Will have to rehome if they crow fingers crossed but the combs are bright red at 13w, so I'm pretty sure they are roos!

Then we have:
2 18w khaki campbells not sure of sex

2 13w white pekins not sure if sex

So i am completely waiting to find out almost everything! I'm so worried I'm not doing it right an i am delaying them. Ugh the struggle is real!