When will they lay?

[ChickenCanoe]

@SunriseChickers Here is a good article posted by @aart on the subject.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/
@ChickNanny13 Most breeds will lay well right through their first winter. Beginning in their second autumn and each thereafter, they will molt, stop laying for a while and resume laying after they've regrown their coat. Each year, they'll take a longer break but will still resume some time after winter solstice.

 

[Acre4Me]

What does a hen look like when she's squatting?

They might be. I can pick them up without tremendous fuss, but they do spook if I try to pick them up and they flap if I try to hold them close.

Squatting: They will stop briefly and get a bit lower to the ground. This indicates willingness to mate, but seems to coincide with egg laying to some degree. Also, all 6 breeds have gotten friendlier/less skittish as they get closer to laying. All of a sudden they will let you pet them or pick them up (even if they don’t want to hang out for long). Our Highly skittish DBLs are a bit calmer, but only 1 is laying.

 

[Bonniebooboo]

Good luck, 20 weeks old...you may have awhile to wait , especially since days are shorter. But, could be soon..they are looking like they are getting pretty red. Are they squatting for you at all? Are they friendlier (less skittish) than when they were younger?

We have 6 breeds approx 36 weeks old. Just this week we got a first egg from a dark brown leghorn. The other two DBLs haven’t laid yet (definitely aren’t paying their rent!). the DBLs have been red (comb and wattles) for a long time. The other 5 breeds started to lay around 20-26 weeks old.

DBL is what breed.?
Thanks.

 

[Acre4Me]

DBL is what breed.?
Thanks.

Dark Brown Leghorn. We have three, all about 36 weeks old (hatched Feb 28). Only 1 has begun to lay... the rest of our chickens (same age) have been laying for weeks and weeks beginning June 30. Surprising since a leghorn is typically an early layer, but these are heritage type.

 

[SunriseChickers]

Hmm. Thanks all for your help. I guess I'll just wait and see.