When will my pullets start laying?

[kingchickies]

My Easter Egger is 21 weeks today and is not laying yet.

I have 3 more EE that combs still aren't even fully grown but faces are getting pink. I guess it's another guessing game, like the sex of chicks. Lol

 

[junebuggena]

No, I got her from our local feed mill.

Feed stores source from hatcheries. Like I mentioned, it's my experience that Easter Eggers need to be kept on a higher protein feed. I've never had an Easter Egger pullet start later than 24 weeks. Those who have bought chicks from me, that started layer feed before the birds started laying, have reported that their birds didn't start till well over 8 months of age.

 

[jwyles]

No, I got her from our local feed mill.

Gotcha. I was just curious bc mine are from cackle. Well I bought them from our local farm supply store but they order from cackle. Anyway I was just thinking with EE they vary so much that the only way to get an idea on them is to compare them to EE from the same source. But anyway I hope you get some eggs soon!!! And I hope they are beautiful!

 

[orchardflock]

We had two Easter Eggers from last summer, and one of them started laying the same time as our barred rocks (about 20 weeks) but the other took at least a full month longer. The late layer has light blue eggs while the one that started with our other hens has light green eggs, if that matters.

 

[jwyles]

Feed stores source from hatcheries. Like I mentioned, it's my experience that Easter Eggers need to be kept on a higher protein feed. I've never had an Easter Egger pullet start later than 24 weeks. Those who have bought chicks from me, that started layer feed before the birds started laying, have reported that their birds didn't start till well over 8 months of age.

I'm definitely taking your advice!

 

[jwyles]

We had two Easter Eggers from last summer, and one of them started laying the same time as our barred rocks (about 20 weeks) but the other took at least a full month longer. The late layer has light blue eggs while the one that started with our other hens has light green eggs, if that matters.

I don't know but I wish mine would lay different colored eggs but I've read that cackles tend to lay consistent mint green. I'm not complaining tho. I'm sure they'll be pretty.

 

[Outdoorlover]

My oldest Orpington (Buff) is 17 weeks old, she has red wattles and comb, she doesn't "squat" yet, but in the last few days she's been very vocal..she makes a sound I din't even know chicken made, and don't know how to describe...is this a sign she's getting ready to lay?
At what age do Orpington and Australorp start to lay?
Is there a difference between American O and English O. when it comes to maturity and egg laying?

 

[andreanar]

My brahma started laying at 28 weeks
My EE's at 23 weeks
Both Marans were 26 weeks.
It seemed like forever.
My Wyandottes were the first layers at 21 weeks.

 

[debid]

I'm waiting on the newbies myself. Mine are just now 20 weeks and the only one laying is the gold sexlink. She started while I was on vacation and I had someone collecting so IDK when exactly but sometime in the 17-19 week range. The EEs and Welsummer look ready any minute here but the Brahma is still juvie molting.

 

[jwyles]

I'm waiting on the newbies myself. Mine are just now 20 weeks and the only one laying is the gold sexlink. She started while I was on vacation and I had someone collecting so IDK when exactly but sometime in the 17-19 week range. The EEs and Welsummer look ready any minute here but the Brahma is still juvie molting.

I didn't realize they molt again at 20 weeks. I was thinking juvenile molt was when they get all their big feathers at like 6-8 weeks. I've heard that sex links can start earlier than a lot of breeds.