Runaway train with pullet in the driving seat.

[Tired old Rooster]

So, my seven month old pullet, started laying on the fourth of July. We are in the middle of winter, which if I am not mistaken, is a time when chooks slow down or stop laying. She averaged five a week for the first two weeks and she is picking up the pace. We are heading for one a day. Now her eggs are a bit on the small side, but perfect in every way. I am just worried she is going to burn herself out with this.

Will she slow it down once she matures? I don't want her to pop out 250 plus eggs in a year before the factory burns down.

She is a Plymouth Rock.

 

[jpalmatier83]

Are you adding supplemental lighting? If so, she’ll keep on laying at summer rates.

If not, she should settle down at some point.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

which if I am not mistaken, is a time when chooks slow down or stop laying.

First year layers may start laying in the winter (slightly later like a few weeks in age than if they hatched and were maturing at summer) and continue laying through their first winter. Second year layers most often take their break, to molt and recharge for the onset of the next season.

Yes rate tapers off with maturity. And size also increases (at least until a specific genetic dependent point).

Chickens are hatched with all the follicles on board that will ever become eggs.. my understanding is several thousand..

https://layinghens.hendrix-genetics.com/en/articles/egg-day-oviposition-explained/

https://extension.psu.edu/hen-reproduction

Most won't lay that long or get that old (to actually burn out) for various reasons.. such as predation, illness, tumors, etc.. and even general hormonal changes.. some expectations can be seen nicely in the following link..

https://www.purinamills.com/chicken...ng-do-chickens-lay-eggs-goals-for-laying-hens

Presuming she's under natural lighting conditions.. good nutrition to support her own immune system is the best thing that can be done to resist burn out..

 

[Tired old Rooster]

Are you adding supplemental lighting? If so, she’ll keep on laying at summer rates.

If not, she should settle down at some point.

Zero lighting at all. In the top box and on their roost at sunset. Not outside lighting at my place used at all.

 

[Tired old Rooster]

First year layers may start laying in the winter (slightly later like a few weeks than in age than if they hatched and were maturing at summer) and continue laying through their first winter. Second year layers most often take their break, to molt and recharge for the onset of the nest season.

Yes rate tapers off with maturity. And size also increases (at least until a specific genetic dependent point).

Chickens are hatched with all the follicles on board that will ever become eggs.. my understanding is several thousand..

https://layinghens.hendrix-genetics.com/en/articles/egg-day-oviposition-explained/

https://extension.psu.edu/hen-reproduction

Most won't lay that long or get that old (to actually burn out) for various reasons.. such as predation, illness, tumors, etc.. and even general hormonal changes.. some expectations can be seen nicely in the following link..

https://www.purinamills.com/chicken...ng-do-chickens-lay-eggs-goals-for-laying-hens

Presuming she's under natural lighting conditions.. good nutrition to support her own immune system is the best thing that can be done to resist burn out..

Doing my best to keep everything completely natural. No outside light, except my porch light if I hear something outside or my dog does and I go look. That hardly ever happens. They have always got access to scratch and layer feed, they also free range in a place that is Bugz-R-Us.

 

[jpalmatier83]

Doing my best to keep everything completely natural. No outside light, except my porch light if I hear something outside or my dog does and I go look. That hardly ever happens. They have always got access to scratch and layer feed, they also free range in a place that is Bugz-R-Us.

Yeah, so I’m not totally familiar with southern hemisphere hens laying cycles.

I think @EggSighted4Life is onto it. Probably just first year going hardcore and will settle down after the molt.

Don’t think it’s anything to worry about. Glad your girls are being productive!

 

[Tired old Rooster]

Yeah, so I’m not totally familiar with southern hemisphere hens laying cycles.

Surely the cycles are merely reversed?

 

[jpalmatier83]

Surely the cycles are merely reversed?

Close? The earth wobbles. And the tides and the times

I’m guessing you’re probably right, but it’s just something I’ve never discussed with my way southern neighbors.

Edit- and if I’ve learned anything on here, the time I assume something is the time I’m wrong. And everyone will let me know why

 

[Tired old Rooster]

Could all of this be driven by her hormones, because she has major hots for the cockerel? Almost since he arrived, she has been coupled to him by the toe. They even leave the others all the time and wander off on their own.

 

[jpalmatier83]

My pullets have always had a very productive first year. Then they molt and slow down. This has always been with natural light. Early years were just hens. Later years had Roos. I’m guessing it’s just first year behavior and she’ll settle down after her first molt.