Well, are they EVER going to lay?

[ParadiseChickens]

I am a first time chicken owner, we got 8 RIR on March 22 and they were 4 weeks old at that time. It is now the middle of August and I would think they would have started laying by now. They have been fully grown looking for quite awhile now. They are well fed, well tended, well housed and their nesting boxes are all ready. Is there anything I am doing wrong and do all hens lay or there just some that are "duds"?

Sorry if this all sounds stupid but you can just roll your eyes and laugh. But I just dont know.

 

[hlf1996]

They will start laying when they start laying. Just try to be patient.

Some chickens take longer than others.

 

[dbounds10]

Mine were hatched on March 8th and we got the first egg on Aug 8. It depends on breed but standard is 18-26 weeks. Should be any day now, hang in there!

 

[krissteff]

Quote:
Is it pretty hot where you live? I got my first egg the morning after a cooler, rainy day. The same has been true for my second and third layers, as well. Seems like they are expressing their gratitude for that small relief of mild weather.

 

[ParadiseChickens]

Yes, it has been hot. Hot as in triple digits for 40 days in a row. We are in N Central Texas. It did start raining on Thursday and again today so maybe they will give in and lay. At least one out of the 8 anyway. Hubby says that he will have to charge $165 a dozen at least to recoup all we spent on the coop and run. I'm thinking they think they have it so good they dont have to do any work.