When do you think my buff orpingtons are going to start laying?

[number1newbie]

They are a 4 1/2 to 5 months old and have started making little nesting spots!!! I have a layer feed with free choice oyster shells in the coop! When should I expect eggs?

 

[MamaChicken4]

I've heard anywhere from 5-7 months in articles. I have four month old orpingtons and rhode islands and barred rocks. I am chomping at the bit to have them start laying. I'm hoping they start laying sooner than 5-7 months. We shall see. Maybe someone else who has older orpingtons can give us a better answer.

 

[Peeps61]

I have a mixed flock that I started last year. I had three Buff Orphingtons and they started laying at about 23 weeks. They did not do the egg squat or anything else, but their combs and wattles got VERY red. Do your Buffs look like that? My other breeds of hens did the egg squat and had the vivid coloration on their combs and wattles, but the Buffs were very discrete about the whole process. My RIR's and my Black Sex Links all started laying before the Buffs. However, once the Buffs started to lay, they were the most productive and dependable! They are also the ones who really sing the egg song after laying an egg!

 

[krista74]

Hi there,

Going by the pictures you provided they don't look quite ready to lay yet. My Orpies were around the 24/25 week mark when they started laying, and I've heard of some that go all the way to 28/29 weeks without laying a single egg!

Generally speaking, your birds will probably develop bright red faces, combs and wattles before laying. Their combs and wattles will also plump out a bit. My girls never did the squat, but if they start doing it that is also a good sign.

I would start making up some nice nesting boxes for them now though. They will start to show interest in them, jumping in and out and flicking hay everywhere, trying to make them look homely!

There's not much you can do to hurry them along unfortunately, and having just gone through this myself I understand the wait is sooooo hard!

They will lay when they are ready though. Good luck, and I hope that is sooner rather than later for you.

Krista

 

[Jaemomma]

My Buff Orpingtons will be 26 weeks tomorrow. I have 4 of them. The comb on one of them started getting redder about a week ago so I am hoping to see an egg soon! The other three still have more pinkish combs. My 2 Rhode Island Reds started laying about 3 weeks ago at 27 weeks old.

 

[number1newbie]

All of my chickens have started laying and one has gone broody

 

[krista74]

Yay! Congratulations!

There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a Momma hen with her chicks.

- Krista

 

[Peeps61]

Yea! I know you were anxious about them starting to lay. My new batch of chicks is getting close. They are very red in the face and starting to squat!

 

[Jaemomma]

Out of 4 Buffs, 3 are getting red in the face and one is still very light pink. I haven't gotten any eggs yet, but I am hoping any day now!