When should my reds start laying?

[Sulteric]

I have six Rhode Island Reds I got in June so they're about five months old and finally mature (it seems from the sound and look of them).

When should they start laying (considering the weather now)?

 

[wombat]

I have RIRs and RIR mutts, and mine are usually anywhere between 23-28 weeks for the first egg, though that's from an admittedly small sample.

You should see the combs, faces, and wattles getting much redder as they get close, and see them starting to take an interest in your egg boxes around that time.

My first-year birds have always laid through the winter, they just slow down somewhat ... though I'm in Maryland so a bit further south than you are. I would still expect that you'll be getting some eggs in about 3-4 weeks from the first few to lay.

It will also vary a fair bit by individual bird. I've got some from this spring that have been laying for about six weeks now, and one that is closing in on week 30 with nothing yet ... and they're all out of the same roo (but a variety of hens) and were hatched together.

 

[Dixiedoodle]

My RIR were between 25-28 weeks old when they started to lay.. They are now 32 weeks old and lay almost every day. Their eggs were much larger than the BR and BO to start with and they now lay a 'large', prefect shape, nice dark brown egg..

 

[rstampa]

I know you've been waiting it seems forever for your girls first egg. But you may have to wait a few more months. If they were born in June they may not start laying until late December or January. I think they're still a little young yet. But it won't be long. You'll see.

 

[Uppity Peon]

I got my chicks on April 18th and got my first eggs on August 25th, (in week 19 if I'm not mistaken) out of 2 production reds.

 

[Crow_Magnon]

Old thread, but hoping to revive it because I've got two reds - 28 and 30 weeks - who don't seem anywhere close to laying (really small combs, not very red, despite free ranging and all sorts of dietary attention). Got them at 16 wks in November, so chalked Dec and Jan up to taking the winter off, but everywhere I turn I read about reds never taking winters off. Am I missing something?