My flock of 11 mixed breed hens and 1 rooster were born May 10th are 22 weeks old. I live in Rhode Island and the cold weather and shorter days have arrived with Fall. My girls have not started laying yet and I'm trying to be patient but the anticipation is killing me!! I have been reading about hens not laying due to the cold weather and lack of light. Starting to worry I won't get eggs till spring? Is that just my impatients talking? Anyone else chomping on the bit waiting for their girls to lay?
I enlarged your picture, and of the hens visible the two RIR look closest to laying, but still a bit away. When their combs become even more enlarged they will begin to lay.
They may also do the "hen squat" for you if you touch their backs, that is another sign they will be laying soon. Glad you joined the BYC flock.
Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. Is that your daughter in the picture with the chickens? She's pretty. Raising chickens is a great experience for children. My granddaughter (pictured in my avatar) loves our chickens. Be patient regarding your girls laying. Most of my hens have started laying from 20-24 weeks (some a little earlier, a few of them a little later). I see 2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Light Brahmas, 3 Easter Eggers, and a Silver Laced Wyandotte in your photo; all good layers so I think you'll be getting eggs very soon. Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your flock.
Hello there and welcome to BYC! Yes, I know waiting for them to start laying can nearly kill you! Ha! But they should start soon. Most of the larger standard breed chickens lay through winter. I think yours will as well without extra lighting. As stated above, when the combs get a bit bigger and more red, and the birds squat for you when you lean over them, then they are very close to laying. Keep some fake eggs in the nest boxes to help teach them where you want them to lay. Good luck and I hope those eggs start coming soon!!
Glad you joined us! Yes, it can be hard waiting for eggs. Most young hens start laying before winter, but there is still a slight chance that without light, your hens will wait until spring. Good luck!
Thank you all for the very warm welcome. I was surprised with my 1st egg today. Never imaged I would enjoy my girls this much. Biggest smile ever !!