When will they start laying??

[Kyng]

 

[Debbie292d]

Unfortunately, there's no one way for sure to know if they're going to start laying until they do. They should be laying soon though.

I presume you have them on a layer feed or all-flock with oyster shell in a separate bowl/feeder. As long as they're fed well, they should be doing fine and should be laying for you soon!

 

[aart]

How old are they, in months?
Have you raised them from chicks?
What all and how exactly are you feeding?
Where in this wide world do you live?

 

[Kyng]

How old are they, in months?
Have you raised them from chicks?
What all and how exactly are you feeding?
Where in this wide world do you live?

They are around 18 weeks.
Since they’re 6 weeks about.
I feed them chicken feed that I bought locally meant for this age, also kitchen scraps, and I can’t find any oyster shells here, so I bake egg shells and crush them and they scratch all day around their run, bugs and pebbles.
Middle East.

 

[WingItRanch]

They are around 18 weeks.
Since they’re 6 weeks about.
I feed them chicken feed that I bought locally meant for this age, also kitchen scraps, and I can’t find any oyster shells here, so I bake egg shells and crush them and they scratch all day around their run, bugs and pebbles.
Middle East.

I believe the Middle East has a relatively long daylight hours this time of year compared to other locations so you may get eggs soon. Do you get about 10-12 hrs of sunlight a day?

Your chickens look like they are maturing nicely so may be a few more weeks. Their combs and wattles will get bright red when they're ready. They'll also get very vocal and loud when they're close to laying their first egg. They may also show more interest in the nest boxes.

 

[aart]

I feed them chicken feed that I bought locally meant for this age

Any chance that the nutrition levels(protein, calcium, etc) are on the bag of feed?

Middle East.

Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Ridgerunner]

18 weeks old, still pretty young. In the Middle East you are north of the equator so your days are still getting shorter. That will change in about a month.

I don't know when yours will start laying. Age is a factor. I've had a couple of pullets lay as young as 16 weeks but that is rare. I've had some not start laying until they were 9 months old. That's also rare. I'd say my average age for pullets to start laying is around 6 months but that is in better times of the year. With only three pullets, you don't have enough for averages to mean much.

The days getting shorter discourages them from laying. I don't think the length of daylight has much to do with it, I think whether the days are getting longer or shorter has much more to do with it.

That said, I've had pullets start laying the first part of December, the shortest days of the year and still getting shorter. I've had some wait until the days got longer in spring. These pullets were the same age and kept in the same conditions. From what I've seen it could be any time or it could be a while.

From your photos two of them seem to have pretty bright red combs and wattles. That might possibly be a sign that they are getting close but it may also be a false indication. To me, it sounds like you are doing things correctly. Here is wishing you good luck!

 

[Kyng]

Thank you everyone.
Since the clock changed, it’s shorter, but we still have plenty of daylight. And it still hits 80f here during the day.
Today was the first day I heard a lot of squawking when they’re usually pretty quiet.
The bag had the amounts on a paper stapled on - but of course it fell off and I decided I didn’t have use for it. I can find out though.
The comb on one has brightened the last two weeks, and the other full black one, hers got a deeper black red. The thirds wattles came in quite red the last few days or so.
I am looking forward!
Will update when the day comes!

 

[Suzz]

Also when they squat when you get near them is another sign they are getting close to laying enjoy! My chickens have shut down for a long winter no eggs till spring

 

[aart]

Since the clock changed, it’s shorter,

Changing the clock does not change the length of day