When will my pullets start laying?

[jwyles]

I've got a few different breeds and am curious what age each breed begins laying. If you've owned one of these will you please let me know what age your's began? Also at what age do I take them off starter/grower and begin layer crumble and calcium?

Breeds in question:
SF brahma
SF faverolle
EE from cackle
OE -1/2 Ameraucana 1/2 marans
FBCM
Ameraucana
Bantam Cochin frizzle and smooth (jic that makes a difference)

TIA Everyone!

 

[Chickassan]

Ameraucana started at five months, will let you know on faverolles im waiting myself.

 

[peterlund]

I put my girls on layer pellets at about 14 weeks.... they adjust to the larger size right away, and waste very little compared to crumbles. Most chicken breeds average out a 22 to 28 weeks. You got quite a mix, so be prepared for quite a mix of first time egg deliveries.

 

[jwyles]

Ameraucana started at five months, will let you know on faverolles im waiting myself.

Thank you! That would be great!

 

[jwyles]

I put my girls on layer pellets at about 14 weeks.... they adjust to the larger size right away, and waste very little compared to crumbles. Most chicken breeds average out a 22 to 28 weeks. You got quite a mix, so be prepared for quite a mix of first time egg deliveries.

Thank you for the info! Will the bantams be ok with pellets as well? I'm not familiar with the size difference in pellet and crumble as these are my first chickens.

 

[peterlund]

Thank you for the info! Will the bantams be ok with pellets as well? I'm not familiar with the size difference in pellet and crumble as these are my first chickens.

They will be fine. Add some crumbles at first tomthe pellets... they will get the hang of it quickly.

 

[jwyles]

They will be fine. Add some crumbles at first tomthe pellets... they will get the hang of it quickly.

Will do thank you! My oldest fee are right at 14 weeks and the rest are right behind them. I'll wait a few weeks to be on the safe side and then make the swap!

 

[jwyles]

They will be fine. Add some crumbles at first tomthe pellets... they will get the hang of it quickly.

Also do you supplement with calcium or is there enough in the layer feed? And if you do supplement do you start that right off too or wait til they begin laying?

 

[junebuggena]

You've got some slow to mature breeds. Brahmas, Cochins, and Ameraucana take about 6 to 8 months to start laying.
One thing about layer feed, if you start them on it too early, it can actually slow their development making it take even longer for them to start laying. And it's my experience that Easter Eggers really need a higher protein feed if you don't want to be waiting till they are 8 months old for eggs.
You never actually NEED to switch to layer feed. There is no magic ingredient in it. It's just regular feed with less protein and a whole lot more calcium. Many actually find that their flocks lay better, and have fewer issues with egg eating and feather picking, if they stick with a higher protein feed like starter/grower than switching to layer.

 

[jwyles]

You've got some slow to mature breeds. Brahmas, Cochins, and Ameraucana take about 6 to 8 months to start laying.
One thing about layer feed, if you start them on it too early, it can actually slow their development making it take even longer for them to start laying. And it's my experience that Easter Eggers really need a higher protein feed if you don't want to be waiting till they are 8 months old for eggs.
You never actually NEED to switch to layer feed. There is no magic ingredient in it. It's just regular feed with less protein and a whole lot more calcium. Many actually find that their flocks lay better, and have fewer issues with egg eating and feather picking, if they stick with a higher protein feed like starter/grower than switching to layer.

So many great points to consider! And yes I knew I had some slow growers. After all they've got ALOT of growing to do. I am curious though, do the Cochin bantam mature as slowly as the SF Cochin?