The Great Egg Wait

[AshleySGM]

I must admit I don't normally buy chicks in the spring and raise them for late summer/fall laying and now I know why. I've bought chicks in the summer, fall, winter and early early in the year but I've never had to wait so long for eggs. Typically I buy big time layer breeds too of course and most of mine now aren't production breeds. So I'm taking everything into account and I am trying to be as patient as possible but boy they sure are dragging it out.

We bought chicks March 1st from TSC, 4 each Isa Brown, Speckled Sussex and Easter Eggers. When they were around 3 months old a possum killed all but 7 total (2 each and left an injured 3rd Isa Brown) which we saved.

In July probably around 19-20 weeks one of the Isa Browns (Goldy) laid her first egg, she missed several days getting into the swing of things (all expected) and then started faithfully laying just about daily. She'll lay 2 weeks or just over and then miss a day. All great, but what baffles me is the fact that none of the others have started laying. I knew EEs were late bloomers and I figured SS were too but surely the other 2 Isa Browns should be laying by now. They're 28 weeks old now.

I guess I'm just impatient and being ridiculous. I know that at some point they'll finally start laying and then between them and the other pullets coming close to age we'll be swimming in eggs. I just can't wait. lol

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Do you free range? If so, you may have hidden nests. Put some fake eggs or golf balls in the nesting boxes to teach your ladies where you want them to lay! Best of luck! Waiting is the hardest part!

 

[AshleySGM]

No they're in an enclosed coop and run. I don't know where they'd hide them. I do have fake eggs in the nests. I've seen squatting behavior and red combs for a month now. Even them checking out the nest boxes. Just no eggs.

 

[aart]

Love the thread title!!

I too am 'suffering' thru The Great Egg Wait,
tho mine aren't as old(20wks).
Days are getting shorter and shorter, faster and faster every day.

Do you have older birds too?
Have you checked the pullets pelvic points?
Messing around in the nests is the surest sign IME..I'd bet it'll be any day now.
Starting a new thread to complain about it is one sure way to get them to lay
Not really, but it sure seems to happen often.

 

[chant]

I must admit I don't normally buy chicks in the spring and raise them for late summer/fall laying and now I know why. I've bought chicks in the summer, fall, winter and early early in the year but I've never had to wait so long for eggs. Typically I buy big time layer breeds too of course and most of mine now aren't production breeds. So I'm taking everything into account and I am trying to be as patient as possible but boy they sure are dragging it out.

We bought chicks March 1st from TSC, 4 each Isa Brown, Speckled Sussex and Easter Eggers. When they were around 3 months old a possum killed all but 7 total (2 each and left an injured 3rd Isa Brown) which we saved.

In July probably around 19-20 weeks one of the Isa Browns (Goldy) laid her first egg, she missed several days getting into the swing of things (all expected) and then started faithfully laying just about daily. She'll lay 2 weeks or just over and then miss a day. All great, but what baffles me is the fact that none of the others have started laying. I knew EEs were late bloomers and I figured SS were too but surely the other 2 Isa Browns should be laying by now. They're 28 weeks old now.

I guess I'm just impatient and being ridiculous. I know that at some point they'll finally start laying and then between them and the other pullets coming close to age we'll be swimming in eggs. I just can't wait. lol

We're in the same boat, but with different chickens. I have Bielefelders. One hen that hatched in Feb. has laid 1 egg about 2 weeks ago and hasn't laid one since. Then I have a handful more that are about a month younger (almost 7 months old) and still haven't laid anything. The rooster, of the same age as the latter, is just now starting to crow and do his fan dance around a hen, but still hasn't mounted anyone. I know they're late to the party, but this is a bit ridiculous. The molt season MIGHT have something to do with it, but from the looks of it the only ones molting are my 5 older hens and we're getting 3 eggs a day.

 

[AshleySGM]

Yes we have one Buff Orpington who is 2 years old, she's laying, after a month and a half off. We got her from a friend back then. She went through a mild molt and has been laying 2 eggs every 3 days now.

I have 3 Olive Egger pullets who are just now 20 weeks. They've been checking out the nest boxes. The BLRWs are about 6 months now but don't look close yet. Everyone else is 3 months or younger.

 

[aart]

Yes we have one Buff Orpington who is 2 years old, she's laying, after a month and a half off. We got her from a friend back then. She went through a mild molt and has been laying 2 eggs every 3 days now.

That's interesting that she's already molted and is laying again..is she closer to 18 months or 30 months?

 

[AshleySGM]

That's interesting that she's already molted and is laying again..is she closer to 18 months or 30 months?

She's 30 months. She was a spring 2016 chick.