When Do Americana (or whatever TSC calls not-Ameraucanas that look like enough them) Chickens Start Laying Eggs?

[NorthernHomestead]

I was gifted some blue, white, and brown eggs from a neighbor that said they were Ameraucanas. I'm not an idiot, but she was really nice and adamant about them being Ameraucanas and I was just looking for colored egg layers so I happily thanked her for the gift. I'm going to guess that they're Americana or whatever name sounds like Ameraucana but is a glorified EE. Today is 20 weeks. I'm wondering if these guys take longer to start laying. I know the Buff Orp eggs I incubated with them have been laying for a couple weeks now and the EE x BOs are just starting to lay this week. One of the Amer-whatever roos has a red comb this week and is starting to run around after the hens (who think he's ridiculous because the other fellows in the yard are large BO or BO mixes. Should that be an indicator that his sisters will start laying soon?

Any input? I want to start seeing colored eggs (other than the green and brown I'm already getting).

 

[SilverBirds]

It may be up to 28 weeks before they start to lay. Have their combs started to plump up and redden yet?

 

[NorthernHomestead]

It may be up to 28 weeks before they start to lay. Have their combs started to plump up and redden yet?

From what I can see, just the one roo.

 

[WingItRanch]

It can vary. Some of my EEs started laying at 20 weeks. Last year's batch didn't start until 34 weeks... that was torture.

 

[WingItRanch]

Sorry! Do you have a picture of their combs? You can usually tell if they're close.

 

[rosemarythyme]

EEs are a little more difficult to predict when they'll start laying as there is no "breed standard."

That said 20 weeks is still pretty early for many pullets. If combs haven't started reddening noticeably you're still maybe 3-4 weeks out at least.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

My EE started laying at 5 months, which took me completely by surprise.

But she and her flock sisters had all reddened up, and she started squatting first. Go figure!

This is the EE in front, with the giant sail tail. She’s 6 1/2 months now:

 

[BigBlueHen53]

An "Americana" by any other spelling is still an EE, and you were wise to be skeptical, as Ameraucanas ONLY come from blue eggs. Still, EEs are great birds and I've always been happy to include them in my flocks. Hopefully you will, too. As for when they'll lay, well... they'll lay when they're ready. Usually right after you despair of it ever happening, lol. They're chickens, after all. It's their job to make you crazy! Isn't it?