when to expect eggs.

[Bronya]

I have two 6+ week old ORP cross ladies, I've only ever had Pekin bantams or adult orps, so I don't no the 'normal' age to start laying at. When should I expect eggs, some info tells me 15 wks some 20 wks some much further away?

 

[Johnn]

My Orpington started laying at 30 weeks, I think this was because she was POL in winter so she waited until spring. The usual age is 20-24 weeks.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Anyone telling you 15 weeks is a little bit crazy. Even in a commercial laying facility where they manipulate light and nutrition to control point of lay, Sex Links and Leghorns don't start laying until 18 weeks or so and even that is only 10-20% of the flock. 90% of the flock will be in lay by 30 weeks.

Orpingtons, as a less commercial breed, will take a bit longer. While some may start laying around 20 weeks, it would be more usual to see first eggs around 24 weeks.

You may find this interesting: http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/poultry/publication/commegg/

 

[Bronya]

Thank you both for your help! This info seems far more reliable than any other source, the info that was given to me was passed on by some other chicken keepers on various forums. But we all no that people can say silly things to make them look knowledgeable. Thank you both, I will be waiting in anticipation for those lovely eggs in a few months

 

[gruntsrule]

Orpingtons Are probablly the worst layers I've seen, I had two of them and I got about 2 eggs a week from both of them and they were 1 year old

 

[Bronya]

Ahh my adult girls from a few years ago were great an egg a day off my buff and one every other day from the black, good girls they were

 

[gruntsrule]

Wow then something was very wrong with my Orpingtons....

 

[Bronya]

Haha I've heard very mixed things about orps, I've never had a problem with the girls, but my large flocked friend, she hardly gets ANY from her lot. Haha luck of the egg i think.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I am one of those that have terrible luck with Orps. Cute and fluffy, but no eggs and no broody hens. I don't keep them any more.

Mine came from Murray McMurray--I know different lines act differently, and hatchery birds are very different than breeder birds.

 

[Johnn]

Mine are great layers, one is under a year old and is laying every day. I have 2 which will be 3 in August, one of which is broody and the other is laying every other day, if not every day!