when will they lay

[fluffy9947]

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?

In my experience, they will not lay until the Spring, as they are less than 6 months old. In nine years of having a flock, this is the first year I have had a 1st year chick lay eggs before Christmas. Normally, they won't mature until the following Spring. Don't worry, they are fine!

 

[aart]

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.

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

What kind of feed? Brand/model, link to product, or protein and calcium levels?
They should have a good chicken feed available every minute they are awake.

I prefer to light in the early morning.
You need a timer so time and duration of light is consistent form day to day.
Here's a pretty good article on supplemental lighting.

 

[BDutch]

I dont use artificial light. The chicks hatched in April started laying in October. The chicks from May/June in January and February.

If its gets cold (freezing during the day) and there is no snow it is convenient to have a small water heater. Because I don't have electricity in the run, I attach the water heater (5W) on the extension cord I normally use for the electric mower, for as long as needed.

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

ok, thanks for all advice;

What kind of feed? Brand/model, link to product, or protein and calcium levels?
They should have a good chicken feed available every minute they are awake.

I prefer to light in the early morning.
You need a timer so time and duration of light is consistent form day to day.
Here's a pretty good article on supplemental lighting.

i use small holder range layers pellets (should i be using growers?)
see attachment

 

[Shezadandy]

ok, thanks for all advice;



i use small holder range layers pellets (should i be using growers?)
see attachment
View attachment 1958649

As for when will they lay - only they know that! I've had plenty of spring pullets start laying in fall/winter and continue through to next fall. I do use light - my auto coop door opens at daybreak, and I'm one that keeps the lights on into the evening - because frankly … I'm not a morning person and like to visit the flock later in the evening.

More about feed:

https://the-chicken-chick.com/feeding-chickens-at-different-ages/

Using Purina Layer as a standard, 16% protein (minimum) -- where treats and scraps can get you into trouble - and of course the chickens love them and will gobble them up- but depending on what the treats are (protein content etc) and how much they get, they can dilute the overall protein level in their diet. 16% is the marked minimum for egg production- many of us feed all-flock (20% protein) to help off-set treats, and because we've got a mix of hens, chicks, roosters and everything in between. I think the maximum recommended treat level is 2 tablespoons per hen per day.

And of course a separate dish of oyster shells for supplementary calcium.

 

[aart]

i use small holder range layers pellets (should i be using growers?)
see attachment

Hopefully this is the same product:
https://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Smallholder_Layers_Pellets.html
"Analytical Constituents: Crude Protein 16.0%; Calcium 3.8%."
Best for birds to be on a higher protein and lower calcium until they actually start laying. Not sure what your grower feed would be.
It won't kill them, but may slow maturation and onset of lay.
Good to learn to read the fine print on nutrition values.

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

Hopefully this is the same product:
https://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Smallholder_Layers_Pellets.html
"Analytical Constituents: Crude Protein 16.0%; Calcium 3.8%."
Best for birds to be on a higher protein and lower calcium until they actually start laying. Not sure what your grower feed would be.
It won't kill them, but may slow maturation and onset of lay.
Good to learn to read the fine print on nutrition values.

yep thats the one, although i have the sack not the bag(20kg)
ok, thanks for the info

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

this one is has the biggest comb and wattles, it's 22 wks on wednesday
its a black medici. Should it be laying soon by the look of the pics?