When to expect eggs

[rebeccandsomers]

GoodMorning!
I have a mixed flock. My question is specifically about my bielefelder hens and my sex links.

Bielefelder- they are HUGE and I would say best guess is there approx 8 months old. When can I expect eggs? Also although they look like hens to me one has a larger comb than the other.

Also my sec links 1 year old has ceased laying. For about two weeks - she was amazing like clockwork for months and months wondering what’s up. Everything is fine seemingly health wise and food and water.

Thoughts please and thanks

 

[DobieLover]

If you had a cockerel, he should have started crowing by now. And although it is difficult to tell in the posted pix, I don't see pointed saddle feathers on her so I am voting pullet.
The days are getting shorter. They may not lay until spring.
Your one year old may be coming into her first molt. They will stop laying during their molts.

 

[rebeccandsomers]

Ok I think she has finished a molt so that could be it - there are def no saddle feathers I can see. Hoping for two hens - already acquired a so called female RIR who turned out to be a boy and he is mean as a snake.

 

[DobieLover]

Ok I think she has finished a molt so that could be it - there are def no saddle feathers I can see. Hoping for two hens - already acquired a so called female RIR who turned out to be a boy and he is mean as a snake.

The RIR roosters are notorious for being nasty! Probably outstanding flock protectors but who needs to worry about constantly watching your back around them when you are tending to your chickens?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Judging by saddle and hackle feathers and what little I can see of the tails those both look like female. One had red comb and wattles, the other not so much. The one with the red may be pretty close to laying, the other not so much. Or she may be laying and hiding a nest. If you look at her vent you can get a good idea. If the vent is dry and tight she is not laying. If it is soft and moist she is laying or or getting close.

I've had 9 month old pullets start to lay early in December, the shortest days of the year and still getting shorter. I do not supplement the light. I've had some wait until the longer days of spring to start laying. They can start at any time. Or they can wait longer. It can be quite frustrating but you really can never tell.

 

[snow5164]

Do they have light 12-14 hours a day ? We have a single bulb on for 12 hours a day and egg laying is consistent.

What are you feeding during the molt? Increased protein helps them bounce back a little sooner . I give mine cottage cheese , sunflower seeds, wild bird seed during molting .

 

[rebeccandsomers]

Yes wild bird seeds and black sunflower is added - I guess I have to be patient thanks all

 

[EggstremeHen]

GoodMorning!
I have a mixed flock. My question is specifically about my bielefelder hens and my sex links.

Bielefelder- they are HUGE and I would say best guess is there approx 8 months old. When can I expect eggs? Also although they look like hens to me one has a larger comb than the other.

Also my sec links 1 year old has ceased laying. For about two weeks - she was amazing like clockwork for months and months wondering what’s up. Everything is fine seemingly health wise and food and water.

Thoughts please and thanks

 

[EggstremeHen]

I too am waiting for eggs from my "spring chicks" (7 months and a little less for some). Many factors can determine laying: whether the girls are going through a fall moult, if the weather is colder and there is less sunshine.... etc. I have waited till 9 or 10 months for nuggets before!
As for your clockwork layer, maybe she is affected by the change in weather as suggested above. It can be a small thing!
Good luck waiting

 

[PirateGirl]

All your biels have the same coloring and I'm fairly certain are all females. I think you'd see more white coming in by this age if you had males. They will lay eventually, but if you are in the northern hemisphere, days are getting shorter and it may not be until after solstice in December. I got my first egg from one of my girls the very next day after solstice, they just know