When can I expect my buff Orpington pullets to lay?

[Ajd1126]

I ordered my hens online from McMurray Hatchery. They’re at least 15 weeks old, possibly 17, hard to say since they didn’t tell me an age when they sent them. Anyways, best I can guess is they will start laying sometime between October and December. Will they still lay? I’m in Michigan, and this is my first year with chickens. I know they usually slow or stop altogether in the winter months, but I’m unsure of what to expect from birds in their first year.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mine have always started between 5-7 months. Those gotten in June tend to start laying sometime in December here in Wisconsin.

 

[Ajd1126]

Mine have always started between 5-7 months. Those gotten in June tend to start laying sometime in December here in Wisconsin.

I got them in June. I just wasn’t sure because I have read orpingtons take their sweet time laying, but also with it being cold and darker, I wasn’t sure if they would still lay this winter or if they’d just start up in the Sprong with the rest.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

For me the buff Orpington pullets are the reliable ones in a bunch. They always will start at around that 6 months.