Spring pullets not laying

[Kate E]

I have 5 birds, 3 laying hens and 2 pullets I'm told were born in March. I got this flick in June and all summer long I've been getting 3 eggs a day almost every day from my 3 hens. I've been anxiously waiting for my 2 pullets to lay and as the days get shorter I am wondering if they'll lay at all this year? I get lovely hard eggs with orange colored yolks from my 3 hens so I think everyone is happy and healthy on their diet of feed, free range and occasionally scraps and snacks. The pullets are an Easter eager and a brown and white hybrid- not exactly sure of her breed. I've read Easter eggers typically lay later in life but with the cold weather and shorter days upon us, will they lay at all this fall and winter? I have an insulated coop but don't plan to keep artificial light in their this winter- I've read several places it's good to give your hens the winter off from egg laying. Anyway... any insight would be appreciated! The 2 pullets are in the middle in this photo. It's bad quality but you can see they are big gals and is almost tough at this point to see that there is any age difference between them and the other hens.

 

[2 many chickens]

Are you sure they're not laying? I didn't think one of my EE hens was laying until I found a nest of her eggs far away not in the coop/nesting boxes! If not, give it a bit more time, they should start laying very soon!

 

[Kate E]

I live in an area of Wisconsin with coyotes and lots of large hawks and I have a long commute to work each day. Although I let my girls in the yard as often as I can I like to be home and try to keep an eye on them. I'm nervous to leave them out all day as I've heard horror stories from the previous owner of our home about her birds being picked off by predators. Our coop isn't huge, probably big enough for 10 birds but cramped, I have 3 nesting boxes and the run is probably 100sq feet. I don't think they could be laying anywhere that I wouldn't find them unless they're doing it in the woods behind our house when I let them out for an hour here or there.

Are the eggs of a young hen any different in size than a more mature hen? I have had a couple of brown eggs over the last week that seemed a bit smaller, darker shell and more narrow than what I've been getting all summer long. So those may have come from the brown and white pullet.

 

[2 many chickens]

I live in an area of Wisconsin with coyotes and lots of large hawks and I have a long commute to work each day. Although I let my girls in the yard as often as I can I like to be home and try to keep an eye on them. I'm nervous to leave them out all day as I've heard horror stories from the previous owner of our home about her birds being picked off by predators. Our coop isn't huge, probably big enough for 10 birds but cramped, I have 3 nesting boxes and the run is probably 100sq feet. I don't think they could be laying anywhere that I wouldn't find them unless they're doing it in the woods behind our house when I let them out for an hour here or there.

Are the eggs of a young hen any different in size than a more mature hen? I have had a couple of brown eggs over the last week that seemed a bit smaller, darker shell and more narrow than what I've been getting all summer long. So those may have come from the brown and white pullet.

Yes, when they first start laying the eggs are small and sometimes narrow. Sounds like they are laying. You can tell the difference between the eggs of laying hens and newly started laying hens.

 

[azygous]

Sometimes pullet eggs are considerably smaller than adult hens' eggs, but sometimes they're nearly the same size. You should be able to tell if you're suddenly getting eggs that seem slightly different. Also, pullet eggs have a "new" look about them, often being much harder and shinier.

Another way to tell if your pullets are laying or are about to begin is to check the vent. If it's "alive", moist and pulsating, chances are she's laying. Also, her pelvic bones, the two protrusions on each side of the vent will be approximately two fingers in width. Pullets not yet laying may have pelvic bones much closer together.

Generally, pullets will begin laying between five and six months old, so yours are about ripe.

 

[Kate E]

Sometimes pullet eggs are considerably smaller than adult hens' eggs, but sometimes they're nearly the same size. You should be able to tell if you're suddenly getting eggs that seem slightly different. Also, pullet eggs have a "new" look about them, often being much harder and shinier.

Another way to tell if your pullets are laying or are about to begin is to check the vent. If it's "alive", moist and pulsating, chances are she's laying. Also, her pelvic bones, the two protrusions on each side of the vent will be approximately two fingers in width. Pullets not yet laying may have pelvic bones much closer together.

Generally, pullets will begin laying between five and six months old, so yours are about ripe.

This is really helpful. The eggs are about the same size they just seem to be darker in color and a bit more narrow than the others. I think these could be coming from my brown and white pullet. I'm fairly certain my easter egger isn't laying as I was told she should lay eggs with a blue-ish color. I'll check the vent when I get home tonight to see if I'm able to tell that way. Thank you!