We have waited!

[Brady bunch]

Our chickens are approaching the 18 week old age and we have not gotten any eggs yet! Even though we are pretty sure that 3 out of 6 of our chickens are rosters we know that we have at least 2-3 are hens. I do not know if there is anything that I can do to start them laying soon? We do have them on layer feed and they have had the nest boxes installed. I would like to know a time when they start to lay their eggs?
They are black australorps.

 

[Amc29]

18 weeks is really on the earlier side for laying (although I certainly always hope I'll have an early layer!). It may be another 2 to even 6 weeks before you see an egg. That variety does, according to literature, tend to lay earlier, but do remember that all chickens are individuals and any number you see online is an average. I have chickens who are about 21 weeks and I am still waiting for them to lay.

 

[PirateGirl]

They will lay when they are ready to lay. Unfortunately, they can't be made to lay sooner. I had one totally healthy bird wait until she was 11 months old before she laid her first egg! This is not the norm, but it goes to show they can take their sweet time about it.

 

[Brady bunch]

18 weeks is really on the earlier side for laying (although I certainly always hope I'll have an early layer!). It may be another 2 to even 6 weeks before you see an egg. That variety does, according to literature, tend to lay earlier, but do remember that all chickens are individuals and any number you see online is an average. I have chickens who are about 21 weeks and I am still waiting for them to lay.

18 weeks is really on the earlier side for laying (although I certainly always hope I'll have an early layer!). It may be another 2 to even 6 weeks before you see an egg. That variety does, according to literature, tend to lay earlier, but do remember that all chickens are individuals and any number you see online is an average. I have chickens who are about 21 weeks and I am still waiting for them to lay.

Thanks for the explanation!!!

 

[Brady bunch]

Thanks

 

[RoosterML]

Also no need to give layer feed until after they start laying. Grower feed until first egg then finish up the bag you have of grower feed by mixing it with layer feed to transition them over. 20-24 weeks you’ll likely get your such sought after eggs.

 

[RoosterML]

Also keep in mind birds on the east coast always lay sooner than those on the west coast. Well maybe by 3-4 hours but it’s still sooner.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd take them off layer and put them back on grower, as they're not laying yet and thus don't need the calcium (plus grower is usually higher in protein which helps with development).

18 weeks is on the early side for laying. Each bird is different but all of mine have been older at initial lay, like 24+ weeks.

 

[Brady bunch]

So I am going to buy more grower until they are really ready to lay. Thank you for all of the suggestions!