To all of you who have early layers

[mrbstephens]

What did you do? Start off by telling me the breed(s) and at what age they layed their first. Tell me about the feed, the coop, the treats, How many chickens you have all together, if you have any roosters, are they free ranging, etc....... Maybe we can figure out how to get ours to lay early too. Thanks!

 

[ging3rhoffman]

I just responded to someone asking why their EE's arent laying. I have 5 EE's and 4 of the 5 are laying and they started at 18 weeks. Then my silver laced wyandotte started laying in her 20th week and also another one of my brown egg layer laid this week, her 20th week also.

I have one rooster, a silver laced wyandotte and then i have 19 girls. I give treats 2 to 3 times a day which consist of anything from, oatmeal, cereal, raisins, lettuce, grapes, bread, noodles, squash, strawberrys, corn on the cob out of the garden..things llike that. My husband brought home 2-50 lb bags of wheat seed after farming and they just love wheat seed, they get a scoop full each morning and evening of that.

They have an 8 x 10 coop that is open to an 8 x 22 run and each evening they are let out to free range from 2 ot 4 hours before bed time. Hope thats helps

 

[onedozenphyllises]

I don't think there's any way to get them to lay early. That would be like trying to force a teen into puberty earlier - it's just going to happen when it's good and ready.

 

[tomato lady]

Ging3rhoffman, you must have some pretty happy chickens! Mine aren't laying yet but I just checked the calendar and they are not 12 weeks anymore........they are almost 15 weeks! How time flys.

I think it depends a lot on the breed when they start laying. My oldest are Jersey Giants and Light Brahmas. Maybe I am looking at 20 - 22 weeks for them. I have some EEs too, but they are a couple of weeks younger.

I am looking forward to that first egg. However, if you compare rushing chickens to lay to rushing teens into puberty ........ Yikes! Who would want to do that!!!

 

[Wynette]

Funny, I'm the opposite. As much as I look forward to those first eggs, if they lay very early, they are prone to laying issues later, such as internaly laying and becoming eggbound and possibly prolapse. Thus, from 12 weeks until they begin to lay, I feed mine a feed that specifically slows down the sexual maturation process. I'd rather wait a few more weeks, and be more assured of no issues later!

 

[mrbstephens]

My hens are 16 weeks old now. I'm already getting antsy. They check out the nesting boxes every day, but no red faces or squatting at all yet. I just CAN'T WAIT!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I totally agree with Wynette. Be careful what you wish for. Early layers seems great from a human point-of-view, but it's hard on their immature bodies and can lead to a host of egg laying issues; as Wynette has already stated.

 

[fordmommy]

Quote:
I just read this in a book in got from the library last night. It's called "Storey's Guide to RAISING CHICKENS"-Gail Damerow


A quote from the bookage 116

Pullet problems

A pullet that starts laying at too young an age, that is too fat or unhealthy when she comes into production, or that lays unusually large eggs may experience egg binding or prolaspe.

 

[mrbstephens]

Quote:
I just read this in a book in got from the library last night. It's called "Storey's Guide to RAISING CHICKENS"-Gail Damerow


A quote from the bookage 116

Pullet problems

A pullet that starts laying at too young an age, that is too fat or unhealthy when she comes into production, or that lays unusually large eggs may experience egg binding or prolaspe.

OK. I'll be more patient. I promise.

 

[gritsar]

By the way, you may run out of patience before that brahma starts laying. Some of mine started in the 5 month range, but it has taken its toll on them. Some however didn't start till they were in their ninth month of life.