Should I be worried?

[KALBRZ]

Hello again people.
As I have said before, this is my first attempt at keeping chickens. 3 Plymouth Barred Rock pullets is my little flock. In 2 days they will be starting their 27th week and they have still yet to lay. I understand that being a heritage breed it may take a little bit longer to mature. 27 weeks just seems a bit to late to me and has got my mind thinking. Has anyone had their chickens lay their first older than 27 weeks?
Their combs and wattles are definitely getting redder and i have heard the old egg song late in the evening but thats about as close as I am.
Thanks guys.

 

[Stravager]

Are they getting a good diet with extra calcium?

 

[KALBRZ]

I have 2 gravity feeders set up both with organic grower feed. One crumble and one pellets. Its always available so they eat when they are hungry. I don't have specific feeding times. They also get the odd fruit or greens. And mealworms, they love them

 

[Stravager]

I have 2 gravity feeders set up both with organic grower feed. One crumble and one pellets. Its always available so they eat when they are hungry. I don't have specific feeding times. They also get the odd fruit or greens. And mealworms, they love them

Grower feed doesn't have enough calcium on its own to support egg production. Make sure you have a container of crushed oyster shell or calcium carbonate grit on hand that they can free choice select from.

 

[KALBRZ]

Interesting. Ok then. Should I be using layer feed at this age? I was going to swap over once the first egg appeared. I believe grower has more protein than layer. I could be wrong.

 

[Stravager]

Interesting. Ok then. Should I be using layer feed at this age? I was going to swap over once the first egg appeared. I believe grower has more protein than layer. I could be wrong.

Protein depends on the brand. One of my local brands of layer is a 17% while their grower is a 16%. Check your bag analysis and make sure. You could start transitioning to a layer feed or like I said, just leave a calcium supplement out.

 

[KALBRZ]

All good. But does their age concern you at all?

 

[StinkyAcres]

But does their age concern you at all?

If pullets reach point of lay during the short days of winter they'll often wait to start laying until the days are longer.

 

[fluffycrow]

Has anyone had their chickens lay their first older than 27 weeks?

Yes.
This is why I try to avoid blanket statements about age. So much depends on the time of year, the keeping conditions, the breed/line, etc.
If I had a Brahma pullet laying at four months, I’d be concerned. If it were a serama, I wouldn’t find it odd at all.

If pullets reach point of lay during the short days of winter they'll often wait to start laying until the days are longer.

This.
They are still relatively young, I wouldn’t be concerned at all. Place a source of calcium for them to consume if they please, as recommended, and wait just a little while longer.
It’s definitely hard waiting for that first egg to drop, I get it; it will be very worth it in the end!

 

[ParanoidAndroid]

My Olive Eggers free range and have plenty of Layer Feed and they didn't start laying until 30 Weeks.