What's the Longest Amount of Time You've Ever Waited for a Hen to Lay Her First Egg?

[cleopatra]

I have a 10 month old hen (SLW) that hasn't started laying yet. I was just wondering how long a hen can go without laying her first egg. If they don't lay eventually, won't they have problems?

 

[catsandpoultry]

My golden comets were promised to lay from about 15-18 weeks, but....... 21 weeks and no eggs!

 

[catsandpoultry]

My one hen has appeared to be trying to lay eggs, but so far no luck. She has never laid before, but I heard that sometimes that can still mean egg binding. I have also heard that it can take a while for the first egg to be laid. Which (if any) is true?

 

[miquwid]

Some breeds can take their sweet time. My faverolle waited 8 months. My jersey giant I'm sure will be close to a year, and my orpington probably the same I think my orpington is from the english strain and may be big like my jersey. My silkies on the other hand were early layers of 6 months old. LOL My brabanter probably won't lay until she is 10 11 months she doesn't even squat. She is about 7 months now.

 

[miquwid]

Unsure of all that, But I do believe it can take a bit for the first egg and they squat a bit before actually laying. It's true there can be egg binding. She should walk very up right and funny. I think your girl is fine and it will be a bit before she lays, this is when it seems to take forever for them to lay, the one or two weeks leading up to their first egg. I have enough layers that I just don't even worry about it too much now, Though some more need to start so I can make some money LOL.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I have waited 11 months for 2 pullets of different breeds to start laying. Both laid for a few months, then went broody.

 

[cleopatra]

I guess I'll just have to hang in there. Looks like I have a little more waiting to do.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I have waited 11 months for 2 pullets of different breeds to start laying. Both laid for a few months, then went broody.

Ouch! I couldn't imagine feeding for a year without eggs. I hope you wanted walking incubators for your flock.



Our longest wait was 34 weeks. I was very tempted to make pot pie...

 

[cleopatra]

Well, my SLW was one year old yesterday and finally laid her very first egg!