When Will They Lay?

[BerrytangleFarm]

I had 3 NH Reds and 3 Black Australorps that we got from someone who ordered too many from the hatchery last fall. They were hatched early November. We gave one of each to a neighbor about a month ago so they could have more to add to their existing two layers. They have fewer "creature comforts" in their coop, but they are all contained rather than free ranged.

The ones at the neighbor are laying eggs. Our four, however, are not. Did I just give the wrong ones away? Are hers taking a cue from the older chickens and laying early? Will ours start laying soon??

 

[galanie]

I'm betting that they will. What do they eat, in case that is an issue?

 

[Fred's Hens]

They should start any day, they are due. If they have sunlight, sunlight, sunlight and ample water supply and great feed, 16-20% protein, they'll start up. Are they squatting? If so, you are very, very close. Nesting boxes in place? Have the layer pellets ready to go!

 

[BerrytangleFarm]

They're on organic whole grain layer feed now (the package said to start at 4 months). I give them whole grain triticale as a treat. Pretty sure the neighbor has hers all on regular layer pellets.

Mine seem to stay outside more often than not since the weather went above freezing in the last couple of weeks. As far as sunshine...they get as much as Western Washington dishes out. I believe the neighbor's have a smaller, less accommodating coop (you can see ours on my page, though it now has a roof on the run). There are 4 boxes in there, all fluffy and waiting. They've sat on them before, I know, since I find poop and feathers there. The only other place they might sit is under the roosts where it's kinda fluffy, too. I haven't seen anything small and brown there either, though.

Why would the neighbor's two start laying before their 4 siblings?