when will they lay

[GoldpartridgeHen]

i have 6 hybrids (2 rir x ls, 2 black medici, 2 marans cuivree)
it is cold where i am, regularly dropping below 10 degrees c, when will they start laying?
they are nearly 21 weeks, so should they all be laying within the next few days?

 

[BDutch]

Maybe you have to wait for january when days get longer.

 

[21hens-incharge]

If you post pics folks can help figure out if any are close.

I agree that you may end up waiting until winter solstice has passed.

 

[aart]

i have 6 hybrids (2 rir x ls, 2 black medici, 2 marans cuivree)
it is cold where i am, regularly dropping below 10 degrees c, when will they start laying?
they are nearly 21 weeks, so should they all be laying within the next few days?

I wish it worked like that!!

It's about day length, not temps.

You'll just have to wait...could be days, but more likely longer.

Here's some tips on how to tell....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

I wish it worked like that!!

It's about day length, not temps.

You'll just have to wait...could be days, but more likely longer.

Here's some tips on how to tell....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

ok, thanks

 

[Ted_Harrell]

Yep the amount of hours of sunlight has a large amount to do with it, be patient...

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

ok, so i have 9 hours of sunlight atm
how much is needed for the chickens to start laying

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

i've read about putting artifical light in the coop to add to sunlight, but i have no power source near the run, so that won't work

 

[aart]

ok, so i have 9 hours of sunlight atm
how much is needed for the chickens to start laying

12-14 is optimal when provided supplemental lighting, but pullets may lay with less.
There's no magic 'thing' you can do......just practice your patience.

What all and how exactly are you feeding?
You have a way to keep their water thawed, correct?(if it gets that cold there)

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

12-14 is optimal when provided supplemental lighting, but pullets may lay with less.
There's no magic 'thing' you can do......just practice your patience.

What all and how exactly are you feeding?
You have a way to keep their water thawed, correct?(if it gets that cold there)

i feed them in a 3-6kg feeder (not sure which), each section filled up in the morning, with scraps also. in the afternoon, i often give them more scraps and feed depending on how much they have eaten from the morning. It isn't cold enough to start freezing the water yet, but when it does, i just make the water warmish or lukewarm.

bearing in mind i do have 5 other chickens also, but they are different breeds and aren't due to lay yet...

when should i add artificial lighting, in morning or night; because i think i read something about too much light affecting chickens negatively...