The wait for my egg factories is awful!

[Kay-T-Hammer]

We only have 7 pullets, 2 of which are EEs and not yet at POL, and they have been laying since July. Already there have been multiple times where we have had too many eggs! Their times will come, and then I pray you have multiple refrigerators.

 

[CoopBoots]

I feel this. I have nearly 18 wk Orpingtons... But apparently they are the chicken world's SLOWEST to mature I still stalk the nest boxes daily haha.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Most of us have been there. I've had a very few start at 16 weeks, most around 5 to 6 months, but my blue egg layers that I got hatching eggs from a breeder did not start until 9 months. She couldn't understand, most of hers started laying at 5 to 6 months. Once I got hatching eggs from them and incubated them their daughters started at 5 to 6 months. There is no logical reason those three waited for nine months but they did.

It's probably just a short matter of time for yours with those bright red combs. They look ready. But it is possible they are already laying and are hiding a nest from you. If you look at the vents you can tell if they are laying or at least are real close. If the vent is pink, soft, and damp-looking she is laying or just a few days away. If the vent is tight and dry you need to be patient.

If the vent is soft and pink, you might try locking that one up for a few days to see if you get an egg. My guess at that age is that they just haven't started, but you can check the vents and see what you think.

 

[Frstimechick]

Seems like I waited 6-8 months! But in reality when I added it up it was only about 4-5 lol. I keep thinking “man they should be laying soon it’s been about 6 months!”. Then i finally did the math and it was like 3 months and I said “damn! That’s all”.

I completely understand! I had to 'hey Google' a few times before I believed we were only at week 17.

 

[Frstimechick]

Our Golden Sex-links just laid their first eggs last Saturday. Coincidentally they both laid their first eggs on the same day.? Anyway, we have a lot of breeds of chickens and supposedly they begin laying the earliest at around 16 weeks. They are 20 weeks old though. We are guessing the delay was due to the weather. It has been so hot here in Oklahoma until last week, when it cooled down to the upper 80s. Our silkie also began laying last week, which surprised us because usually they are really late to begin.

Congratulations on their eggs! I've thought about the weather and decreasing daylight hours for them. We're in Iowa and so far our weather has been awesome! We've had two nights down in the high 40's and highs in the 70-80's. Perfect egg laying weather if you ask me!

 

[Frstimechick]

I feel this. I have nearly 18 wk Orpingtons... But apparently they are the chicken world's SLOWEST to mature I still stalk the nest boxes daily haha.

I check the boxes, the coop, under the coop, the run, out in the grass....everywhere on the daily. Someday.....

 

[Frstimechick]

Most of us have been there. I've had a very few start at 16 weeks, most around 5 to 6 months, but my blue egg layers that I got hatching eggs from a breeder did not start until 9 months. She couldn't understand, most of hers started laying at 5 to 6 months. Once I got hatching eggs from them and incubated them their daughters started at 5 to 6 months. There is no logical reason those three waited for nine months but they did.

It's probably just a short matter of time for yours with those bright red combs. They look ready. But it is possible they are already laying and are hiding a nest from you. If you look at the vents you can tell if they are laying or at least are real close. If the vent is pink, soft, and damp-looking she is laying or just a few days away. If the vent is tight and dry you need to be patient.

If the vent is soft and pink, you might try locking that one up for a few days to see if you get an egg. My guess at that age is that they just haven't started, but you can check the vents and see what you think.

That's interesting about yours layering later but their daughters laying younger. By 9 months I would have questioning if something was wrong.
I check the boxes, the coop, the run, under the coop and outside every day and nothing. I stay home so I spend a lot of time out with them, I watch them from the windows or spy on the security cameras. I've tried to watch for any signs of a broken and eaten egg too but I don't see anything that looks suspicious.
I've read about checking pelvic bones and vents. Unfortunately with these two they prefer not to be held so I think we'll pass. (Note: We would definitely pick them up if it was medically necessary and not just my lack of patience! )

 

[Cindy in PA]

I just got my 2nd deep brown egg from a Welbar today & they turned 21 weeks today. I had my first 10 days ago. The shape is slightly different & it's quite a bit bigger. Don't know if it's the same pullet or not. I have 3 Blue Australorps, 4 Welbars & 2 EEs, so still waiting for most.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

This is worse than waiting for Santa as a child! Every morning I ask them who's going to lay me an egg. The girl in my first and second pictures is obnoxiously loud and sounds like a goose and she always throws in a bawk, baaaawk like back off, lady, we're busy hunting bugs and doing our other chicken things!

Right about the time you give up all hope you'll get a tiny little pullet egg, and then you'll be like I waited all this time for that

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I feel this. I have nearly 18 wk Orpingtons... But apparently they are the chicken world's SLOWEST to mature I still stalk the nest boxes daily haha.

I'm right there with you! I have 18 week old orps too...tick tock, tick tock, lmao