When do pullets start laying (Silkie cross pullets)?

[Naamahbengals]

Hi all, one more question. I have 5 Silkie cross pullets from my mid-April hatch earlier this year (making them 8mo). They are crosses of EEs, but they are all bantam sized. They look a lot smaller than my adult Silkie hens, but maybe that's just because they have normal feathers and not puffed-up Silkie feathers?

Anyway - none of them are laying yet. How old are silkie or silkie crosses before they start laying? Will it be soon, or are they going to hold out until spring?

 

[Wyandottes7]

Silkies aren't known for being the greatest layers. They usually are a little late when it comes to laying, starting around 7-8 months old. However, yours will probably wait until spring, due to short daylight hours.

 

[Naamahbengals]

Silkies aren't known for being the greatest layers. They usually are a little late when it comes to laying, starting around 7-8 months old. However, yours will probably wait until spring, due to short daylight hours.

Hmm. If I want my birds to be laying before a year old (due to winter), when should I be incubating the eggs?

 

[jonsccm]

Try adding a light on a timer at night to give them a few more hours of light.