white silkie question

[fishman65]

I have 23 white silkie chickens about 18 weeks old. Do they start laying at 20 weeks or do they take longer? I have them on starter right now and was wondering if I should start feeding them layer. I was told silkies take longer to lay being that they are bantams. Any info would be helpfull! thanks..

 

[Christie Loves Silkies]

All of my girls started to lay at 9 months of age.

 

[fishman65]

WOW!!!!!!!!! 9 months is a big difference....when did you start feeding them layer? I was thinking 25 weeks at the most!!!! Or I should say I was hoping...

 

[Christie Loves Silkies]

Silkies mature slowly.
but I guess it all depends on the bird

 

[fishman65]

Well I will start introducing layer to them next week and hope I got some early layers....I don't thinik i can wait another 16 weeks...

 

[bottichicks]

I recently purchased a white silkie who is now 6 months old. I was hoping she would lay soon but I have read they can take longer to lay...and the winter months probalby won't help. Everyday I check on her and the Buff Orpington and I find lots of poop but no eggs. Oh well one day they will surprise me!

 

[Eggcessive]

I have 2 hatchery white silkies who are 7 1/2 months old and have been laying since they were barely 6 months. They both are broody now....oh well.

 

[fishman65]

great...at least I have some hope....9 months is a long time to wait for eggs...hopefully some layer feed will get them in gear....

 

[Christie Loves Silkies]

I guess hatchery silkies would start earlier then breeder silkies.

 

[Squishypuff]

My hatchery Silkies are 8 months old, still no eggs. One of my breeder Silkies (not sure which) of the same age has started. They're slowpokes.