Still Waiting for Eggs....

[Bharris5312]

Hi,

My hens are 24-26 weeks old and have not started laying yet.

I live in northern California so its not too cold. They are fed like queens daily and still nothing. My kids poke fun at me when I'm in the coop and say any eggs yet? (They know I would come running in the house if I found one) So any suggestions to get these girls laying or should I just figure for the spring.

Impatiently waiting for that first egg.

 

[Outpost JWB]

What breed are they? How is the set up, nest box area and such? Do they sit in the nest boxes yet? Some do not lay until 8 months or so. If you put fake eggs or golf balls in the nest boxes, it helps. Good luck! I will be "egg cited" for your first egg too! We got 20 eggs today!

 

[Bharris5312]

I have a Barred Rock, Sultan and an easter egger. (First time chicken owner and went with cute

).

They have a 7' long coop with nesting boxes separate from their sleeping area. They sit up in the nesting boxes all the time. I haven't put a fake egg in their boxes but I guess I could try that.

Man, if I walked out and saw 20 eggs I wouldn't know what to do. I'm just hoping to find 1 someday soon.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Outpost JWB]

Cool! Good luck! We have 2 barred rocks. They are good layers and 5 easter eggers. I don't think they have started laying yet, just got them this past April or May. They should be starting any day. Most of my eggs come from our Rhode Island Reds, New Hampshires, and my 2 Olive Eggers

. We have a handful of other breeds as well that contribute.

 

[aart]

24-26 weeks is prime time for onset of lay in most breeds.
Tho the long nights/short days may push that out until the days start to significantly lengthen.

Are they sleeping in the nest boxes or just checking them out during the day?
Are their combs and wattles getting redder?
Do they 'squat' down when you go to pet them?
Those are a few of signs they might be close to laying......
.....except sleeping in the nests, that's not good - bad habit you want to break soonest.