When will my pullets start laying?

[jwyles]

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.

Aw man! I've got a while! I read that marans take forever but I was hoping that it was just one person's unusual experience.

 

[jwyles]

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?

I don't have your answer as I myself am looking to find out about my own. But I can tell you that it seems to be the common rule that larger breeds, and orpingtons are large, tend to mature later;therefore, they begin laying later.

 

[debid]

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.

The juvenile molt starts after first feathers finish. The brooder suddenly looks like a pillow exploded. But, the Brahma was slooooow and didn't completely finish feathering in until about 12 weeks! (I mean under wings and such, she was covered for warmth at 6) So, yeah, she is just wrapping up now with tail/wings. I've never had a pullet start laying until that molt is entirely done.

 

[Outdoorlover]

I don't have your answer as I myself am looking to find out about my own. But I can tell you that it seems to be the common rule that larger breeds, and orpingtons are large, tend to mature later;therefore, they begin laying later.

Sounds like I have a while to wait yet!
Thank you!

 

[jwyles]

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?

I was also going to mention that you may want to go to the forum "chicken behaviors and egg laying" and start a new thread with your question. I bet you'll get some well informed answers if you do that!

 

[PolishPeepers]

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.

Good information on feed. I like starter/grower, then have two free choice gravity feeders of grit and one of oyster shell always available. I've NEVER fed pellets I've always fed crumble but might have 1 feeder with crumble and 1 with pellets.

 

[jwyles]

Good information on feed. I like starter/grower, then have two free choice gravity feeders of grit and one of oyster shell always available. I've NEVER fed pellets I've always fed crumble but might have 1 feeder with crumble and 1 with pellets.

What age did you start on oyster shell? Did you wait til they were laying? And you keep them on starter grower throughout life and never switch to layer? Just being sure I understand. I'm trying to decide the route I want to go.

 

[christwodog]

My faverolles started at 5 and 5 1/2 months. My Ameracauna was the last one to start at 7 months, but she is the most consistent layer out of all of them! I can count on 6 blue eggs every week from her (unless she is broody).

 

[junebuggena]

Oyster shell is offered after the first egg. But it can take a few weeks for them to really show interest in it. The calcium doesn't go directly to their shell gland. Rather, it's utilized by the bones, and the shell gland draws the needed calcium from the bones. So it's not till the bones need calcium that they start to consume the oyster shell. It's also why those occasional shell-less eggs are less to do with calcium intake and more to due with immaturity, as the bones haven't had a chance to be depleted by months of laying.

 

[peterlund]

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.

I actually give my girls a wetted down mini dog pellet food... ok i know it sounds crazy, but they have access tk layer pellets, bowl of grit, bowl of crushed oyster shells and daily free ranging.... but they eat every morsel of tbe dog food and wait in the a.m. to getit rather than eating the layer pellets.
The dog food is a 20% protein mini-chunk called retriever i buy at tractor supply for 14 bucks a bag...
A bag lasts me a couple weeks with 22 chickens. It is an excellent feed for older chickens. That's my rant. Try it. You will be amazed at the production. .... shared by a good mentor. The chicken doctor on G+