The Wait is agonizing!!

[davidfchickens]

I have 6 BO pullets at age 18 weeks. About three are scrawnier, with bright red waddles that have developed quite a bit, and do a squat when I pet them sometimes. The others are bigger pullets, and from my understanding, won’t be as good of egg layers. Any tips/prep, things I should be doing, feed recommendations? They are on 20% right now, and I’m waiting to drop it to an egg laying feed when they actually start. They get lots of healthy snacks as well as corn for the cold winters. This is my first time and I’m so excited! Er egg-cited I should say! ..wow that was horrible, anyways thanks!

David

 

[KarynVA]

Sounds like they will be laying soon. I don't think there is anything you (we) can do to get them to lay sooner. Let us know when the big day happens!

 

[Sally PB]

I kept mine on the 20% protein all flock pellets, with OS and egg shell on the side. I have a cockerel, and the 20% lets me give them some treats without worrying about the protein content.

But, oh man! The waiting for the first egg! Good luck. The bright red wattles and squatting are good signs!

 

[drinkoj]

You want that calcium, that layer feed provides, BEFORE they drop an egg because you want a good egg, not a splat/non-shelled egg. All flock/Flock raiser (sounds like you are doing that now with the 20% protein) and oyster shell on the side for free choice and you're golden.
If you are determined to feed them layer feed, I'd go ahead and give it to them as they're at an age where their bodies can handle it before it starts needing it.

 

[KarynVA]

You want that calcium, that layer feed provides, BEFORE they drop an egg because you want a good egg, not a splat/non-shelled egg. All flock/Flock raiser (sounds like you are doing that now with the 20% protein) and oyster shell on the side for free choice and you're golden.
If you are determined to feed them layer feed, I'd go ahead and give it to them as they're at an age where their bodies can handle it before it starts needing it.

Just an anecdote, but I didn't give my chickens layer feed or any form of supplemental calcium until AFTER the first egg appeared. The first eggs they laid were perfect; very hard shells and beautiful, ready to eat. As soon as they laid, I provided egg shells at will and oyster shell at will, both.

 

[davidfchickens]

Sounds good. I will probably buy a bag of oyster shells to hold me over, then when the laying is consistent, I’ll get later feed. This forum is so helpful and fun! Thanks everyone, and to the person reading this, add you thoughts! Trust me, you can never have too much info on chickens.

 

[RLockhart68]

I have a lavender orpington and a black sex link that were 18 weeks on Sep 12. I'm still waiting for them to start laying.

 

[Tonyroo]

Same boat here, waiting for my 23 week old GLW to lay.

 

[Sally PB]

I wrote and sang a song for my girls. (To the tune of Harry Chapin's I Wanna Learn A Love Song.)

I wanna hear the egg song,
What a happy thing!
I wanna hear the egg song,
Won't you let me hear you sing?
I wanna hear the egg song,
I want my girls to lay.
I wanna hear the egg song,
Sometime today.

It didn't help a bit.

 

[davidfchickens]

Ugh, I've read about Orpingtons going up to 29 weeks before an egg, and I look away. Wonder when. How old are they now? (orpington and sex link).