When did your pullets start laying in the spring?

[Emanderas21]

Hello,

We have three pullets who hatched mid September, and I’m guessing they should start laying as soon as it’s “spring” enough for them— as they seem quite mature now. We’re pretty north in the Midwest so it’s still only 10.5 hours sunrise to sunset and in the 20-30s here.

Just curious, if you had fall hatched chicks when did they start laying in the spring, and in what general region are you?

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

I have 2 bantam pullets that hatched in October, and they just started laying. I live in NW Missouri, and we've been have 20-30 degree weather, or colder. It seems odd that yours haven't started yet....

 

[Robert G]

Mine start to lay around 6 months. It all depends if the hen has matured and is getting a good protein diet.

 

[SueZ 24]

I'm in Ohio and whenever I get chicks I give them more light than just the sun. Do you do this because it definitely makes a difference? They usually start laying around 20 weeks if they have gotten tons of light because light helps them mature faster. If they only got natural light it will probably be longer. Depending on the light you could be starting to get eggs soon. good luck!

 

[Emanderas21]

We don’t give them any additional light, however they are in the sunniest part of our property and get all the light that nature can provide.

I suppose it could be the breeds, we have a Rhode Island Red, Barred Rock and a Red Star.

We’re not rushing them, just very excited.

 

[aart]

At 5 months old they aren't quite ready...the redstar will probably be first.
Average onset of lay for most breeds is 18-28 weeks.
Diet and climate can have an effect.
What all and how exactly are you feeding?
Tho they are in the sunniest part of your property,
the angle of the sun-thus the length of daylight is what counts most.
Hopefully they will have good shade come leaf out.

Oh, and, Welcome to BYC!!
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Emanderas21]

Thanks for the location help, aart— I have added that to my profile.

Right now they are on the south side of our property so I believe it would be the longest amount of sun. However our coop is mobile, and will be moved into partial shade come warmer weather.

I had been confident that I had correctly identified their breeds, however after reading more on here yesterday I think I was wrong about two of them based on the combs. (One of which is a rose comb so I think Dominique not Barred rock, and the other possibly a cushion comb and no clue what the breed is) But— at least the red star has large red red wattles and a bright comb.

I suppose I won’t know until they actually lay when it’ll happen.

 

[aart]

I suppose I won’t know until they actually lay when it’ll happen.

Pretty much!

 

[CindyinSD]

Most pullets will start laying at 20-24 weeks, give or take. Our low an hour ago was -21. I got a little teeny (probably first) Egg from one of my girls this morning. So sweet. You will love it when yours start. Two days ago I tallied up thirteen eggs by the end of the day. (I have seventeen pullets.)

If you can give them light starting at, say, 5:00 a.m., they’ll most likely start laying in a couple days if they’re ready. They optimally need around 14 daylight hours. Otherwise it could be a while. I have an outdoor rated extension cord for the bucket de-icer and I also use it to power a light on a timer. They get S.A.D. from a deficit of light, and don’t lay. (joking about the S.A.D., but they really do respond to length of day.)

 

[Criticalicious]

I have two that waited until almost 38 weeks, and two that started at 21 weeks. Same breed, from different sources. Now I'm getting a steady 3 to 5 eggs a day from 5 pullets. There's no hurrying nature.