waiting for the first eggs

[COCOmaran]

I have 9 pullets that are 21-23 weeks old. (ISA, EE, BCM, OE, Orpington, SLW, CCL, Barnevelder) It is pretty cold in Northern MI. My chickens get 3 hours of additional light. I haven't seen them squatting yet. Should I expect to see eggs soon or not this winter??

 

[jay873]

Have you started to feed the layer pellets ?

Or anything with calcium.

 

[COCOmaran]

Have you started to feed the layer pellets ?

Or anything with calcium.

yes I did. And I am adding a bit of sun flower seeds too.

 

[junebuggena]

Layer feed will not help them lay any sooner. In fact, switching them to layer feed before they are laying can actually slow down their development drastically. Best to keep them on a high protein starter/grower till they are all laying.

 

[jay873]

I'm not an expert but I'd say probably when it starts warming up but I'd give give them another month or so before i cut off the layer your should have eggs by now but the cold weather could be the cause

 

[jay873]

Layer feed will not help them lay any sooner. In fact, switching them to layer feed before they are laying can actually slow down their development drastically. Best to keep them on a high protein starter/grower till they are all laying.

why is that tho I wouldn't expect them to lay if they have only a tiny amour of calcium from grower

 

[COCOmaran]

Layer feed will not help them lay any sooner. In fact, switching them to layer feed before they are laying can actually slow down their development drastically. Best to keep them on a high protein starter/grower till they are all laying.

In fact, I started feeding layer feed by accident. Now, they are eating layer/grower mixed feed... I hope I didn't make a terrible mistake. To make it up, I feed them eggs occasionally.

 

[jay873]

In fact, I started feeding layer feed by accident. Now, they are eating layer/grower mixed feed... I hope I didn't make a terrible mistake. To make it up, I feed them eggs occasionally.

I do the exact same thing I started the layer at 4 months and the started laying like any normal chicken at 5 months and at the same Time had them on turkey grower feed

 

[junebuggena]

why is that tho I wouldn't expect them to lay if they have only a tiny amour of calcium from grower

They don't need to replenish the calcium that is stored in their bones until after they have been producing eggs for a few weeks. The lower protein content of layer feed is what can slow down their development. Some breeds, like Easter Eggers in particular, need to be kept on a higher protein diet to be productive.

 

[junebuggena]

In fact, I started feeding layer feed by accident. Now, they are eating layer/grower mixed feed... I hope I didn't make a terrible mistake. To make it up, I feed them eggs occasionally.

As long as they are getting at least 18% protein, it's fine. Check the labels. Some grower feeds are formulated for meat birds and are only 15%.