Topic of the Week - When Do Pullets Begin Laying?

[AmandaMBG]

They are all pink/reddish in the face. Our barred rock is the most developed:

Her comb will get much larger than that before she lays.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

I should also mention not all chickens get big conbs.

Mizz your barred rocks comb may stay like that forever but generally they do get a lil bigger.

 

[AmandaMBG]

One thing I noticed is that early comb development doesn't seem to have any effect on who lays their eggs first. My TBW with the smallest out of the three was the my girl that laid. One of the other girls had such a large comb when she was smaller I thought she could be a Roo for forever and she still hasn't laid.

 

[tampachick]

I apologize if this question has been asked and answered already. I got 2 new girls from a farmer about 6 weeks ago. They are the same age. The Rhode Island Red started laying within days. The Americauna hasn't laid yet. She's definitely at the bottom of the pecking order. I am wondering if she might be laying under my wood deck, where they all go in rain. Etc, or if she's just a late bloomer. She's not squatting. She's very timid and hard to get close to her for a close up picture, and often wonders away from the other 3 girls, probably to avoid being picked on, but they all roost like best friends at night. Any expert opinions?

 

[K813ZRA]

I have two flocks of different ages.

Flock A (mixed)
Barred rock: 14 weeks
Rhode island reds (6): 15-17 weeks
Black Australorp: 19 weeks

These were all bought at the same time from TSC.

Flock B (Not mixed)
Buff Orpingtons: No eggs yet at 13 weeks.

Observations that I made is that the chickens started making different noises when they were getting ready to lay, I believe some call it the egg song. I have noticed that my chickens started making nests a few weeks before they started to lay. This could be coincidental, though.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

One other condition I've seen is if your chicks hatched early summer. With declining light as the season moves into fall and winter you may not see your birds lay until the length of day is longer again (February) I had this happen with a few late spring chicks. The season and daylight length delayed their POL. I don't supplement light letting their bodies do their natural thing. So that was also a factor.

 

[rottlady]

I have 7 girls ranging in age from 12 weeks to 23 weeks
ONLY the 23 week old is laying

The 3 23-22 week olds have been breeding with the Rooster for 2 MONTHS. ONE of the 22 week olds have been submissive squatting for a month. Two of the 23/22 week olds have been bock bocking for 2 months

The three 22-23 and two 17 week olds have had bright red combs and wattles for more than a month

I'm guessing my girls have no signs LOL

 

[Sherloki]

Well a few of my girls are squatting now and have red combs and wattles. And they've definitely become more vocal. I've also noticed that someone is making nests in the nestbox. Hopefully I'll have my first egg soon.

 

[shelbyw]

I have 2 hens that are laying right now and 2 pullets that will hopefully lay in February of 2017

My Buff Orpington started laying around 4 months and my BSL didn't lay until 7 months. I have had them for 2 years now and they are still at their peak production

My 2 newbies I got in early March, and they are officially out of the newbie pen and in the big pen with the other girls! I have what looks like an EE and a Partridge cochin. When do partridge cochins lay?? I have heard they mostly lay around 7 months.

 

[sackosuds]

Hey all. 1st time chicken keeper. 4 buff orpingtons, 18 weeks.3 barred rocks a few weeks younger and a totally cool easter egger rooster. No eggs. I'm expecting to wait another few weeks. The buffs are gorgeous... so pretty. Im just enjoying the whole chicken life. Very interesting to watch. The roo keeps his girls safe all day and guards the door while they fly up to roost at night. I think a few girls look ready to lay but I guess not.