When will they lay?

[Cheyenne97]

I have a EE who was hatched in Feb, her pelvic bones are spread about two fingers width. I can't find any eggs ANYWHERE. I also have a Buff Orpington who's pelvic bones are spread three finger width, I'm not sure how old she is as I was given her when I bought a chicken coop. I also have two Isa Browns, they are the same age and one of them has a pelvic opening at two fingers width and the other at one fingers width. Any idea how accurate the pelvic test is? I just want an idea on when they will lay, none are going through a molt right now.

Side note: I haven't received any eggs from the Buff, the people that had her never said whether she had been laying or not. She is definitely not a year old yet.

 

[sourland]

Realistically, they lay when they will. It sounds as if all but the Isa Browns are close to laying.

 

[Trux]

POL is usually around 18 to 20 weeks, but there are factors like, breed, hatchery or Heritage bred. I had a flock of 15 hatchery birds of different breeds, (see flock in signature) and we got our first egg from a Wyandotte at about 17 weeks. The last one to lay was a White Orp and she was around 28 weeks when she layed. I have added to the flock this year and I got two SL Wy's that started 18, and 19 weeks. I also got a Heritage SL Blue Orp that has yet to lay and she is at 29 weeks. So big variances, I just keep an eye on them, so I got an idea when they may start.

 

[Cheyenne97]

Realistically, they lay when they will. It sounds as if all but the Isa Browns are close to laying.

I'm just so ready for them to lay!

 

[Cheyenne97]

POL is usually around 18 to 20 weeks, but there are factors like, breed, hatchery or Heritage bred. I had a flock of 15 hatchery birds of different breeds, (see flock in signature) and we got our first egg from a Wyandotte at about 17 weeks. The last one to lay was a White Orp and she was around 28 weeks when she layed. I have added to the flock this year and I got two SL Wy's that started 18, and 19 weeks. I also got a Heritage SL Blue Orp that has yet to lay and she is at 29 weeks. So big variances, I just keep an eye on them, so I got an idea when they may start.

I watch them but they don't seem to have an interest, or do anything that pin points if they are laying. I don't see any of them squatting except the Buff.

 

[Trux]

Things you can look for Comb and Wattles start to increase in size and get nice and red when they are getting close. They also start to get curious about nesting boxes, and start searching out oyster shell and pecking at it. Oh and mine did alot of squaking

 

[Melky]

It varies per breed and you can look up when each breed is expected to lay online and it is usually pretty accurate. They must also get to full breed weight with physical characteristics of adult hen color in combs and wattle coming in etc.

The hens that are older if over one year you can research per breed to see if they are expected to lay and at what rate at the age of the hen.

 

[Cheyenne97]

Things you can look for Comb and Wattles start to increase in size and get nice and red when they are getting close. They also start to get curious about nesting boxes, and start searching out oyster shell and pecking at it. Oh and mine did alot of squaking

All of their combs and wattles are bright red and I have oyster shell available to them at all times.

 

[Cheyenne97]

It varies per breed and you can look up when each breed is expected to lay online and it is usually pretty accurate. They must also get to full breed weight with physical characteristics of adult hen color in combs and wattle coming in etc.

The hens that are older if over one year you can research per breed to see if they are expected to lay and at what rate at the age of the hen.

Based off of when they will start laying the Isa browns should already be laying. Based off of the Buff's appearance she should be laying as well. The EE should also be laying soon as she will be 7 months in one week.

 

[JedJackson]

The wait can be very frustrating, but it will happen. There are a lot of factors involved in when they will start laying. Any time chart is just an average, and really nothing more than a generalization. If they are free ranging, then be careful, because they can hide eggs and you'll never know, if they are crafty about it.