sporadic egg laying early on?

[NewFlockOnTheBlock]

Four or five of our eight pullets started laying about a week ago. While most seem to have gotten on a regular schedule, one of the girls laid an egg a week ago and none since then. We dug around in the shavings on the floor and no, she is not burying her eggs. There is also no evidence of eggs being eaten. Is it normal for a young pullet to lay sporadically at first? They are all on the same feed, get the same treats, etc. She is acting normal so I don't think she's sick.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It is normal for pullets' schedules to vary dramatically.
We sometimes forget that they are individual animals that feed us breakfast, not egg machines.

 

[NewFlockOnTheBlock]

Oh good. I'm glad there is nothing wrong with our Matilda (hopefully). I know that some breeds lay fewer eggs, and of course there are individual variations like you said.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

What breeds are your chickens?

 

[NewFlockOnTheBlock]

We have two Cuckoo Marans, two Speckled Sussexes, three Buff Orpingtons, and one Partridge Rock. Currently the ones that have started laying are the Partridge Rock, one of the Speckled Sussexes, and either two or all three of the Buff Orpingtons.

 

[jthornton]

My 24 week old RIR pullets when they started to lay (first two at 18 weeks) they would lay one day and skip a day at least twice and sometimes three lay/skips before steady laying. My last one started paying rent last week and is skipping 2 days between each egg.

JT

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Speaking in generalities, Plymouth Rocks are fast maturing and lay 200+ a year.
Marans and Sussex are medium in rate of maturity. Orpingtons are a little slower at about 24 weeks.

 

[Gray Farms]

Sounds normal for pullets.

 

[sbhkma]

I have 2 43-week old Welsummers and 3 21-week old Wellies. Just started getting eggs from the older 2 last week. 2 from one bird and 1 yesterday from the other. My 21-week olds don't look anywhere near POL yet. *sigh* But they are are nice birds personality-wise and good, smart foragers.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

My welsummers were slow to start laying but boy were they nice eggs and worth the wait.