Why do some lay, and others don't?

krista74

Songster
5 Years
Jun 4, 2014
1,576
323
158
Victoria, Australia.
Hi all. I have 2 BO's and 4 RIR's. They were all bought on the understanding they were 'about to start laying.' So far, Buff 1 has been laying a month, Buff 2 has been laying 3 weeks, RIR 1 has been laying about 2 weeks, but the last 3 RIR's are not laying yet. To look at, all the RIR's appear the same. Bright red faces, bright red plump wattles and bright red combs. They are all about the same size, with glossy feathers. In fact, I can't tell them apart they are so alike! Could the cold weather be putting off the final 3 from laying (it is early Winter here)? No-one is squatting (not even the laying ones!) so I can't go by that. Sigh. The wait is so hard! Any ideas?
 
The weather can definitely play a part. Some quit laying as the days get shorter. If they haven't started they might be delayed awhile.
 
I have four chickens and would like to know the answer, too! My four are all 23 weeks old (we brought them home as day old chicks). Two light sussex and two black australorp hybrid. One australorp has been laying for two weeks. The other three are taking their time starting. I thought that because the cold weather just hit (we're in Brisbane) that the three slow hens might take a little while longer before they start. I'm just happy to have one laying right now. :) But I am very curious about the reasons why four chickens raised in exactly the same way are starting to lay at different times.
 
I have four chickens and would like to know the answer, too! My four are all 23 weeks old (we brought them home as day old chicks). Two light sussex and two black australorp hybrid. One australorp has been laying for two weeks. The other three are taking their time starting. I thought that because the cold weather just hit (we're in Brisbane) that the three slow hens might take a little while longer before they start. I'm just happy to have one laying right now. :)  But I am very curious about the reasons why four chickens raised in exactly the same way are starting to lay at different times. 
humans reach puberty at different rates under identical conditions as well :)


ETA: or they could be hiding the eggs from you hahahaha
 
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Hahaha! No hiding the eggs during the week because they are in the coop all day until a quick free range just before bedtime. On the week-ends I will need to keep an eye on them to find any sneaky presents left around the yard. ;-)
 
It's not the cold but the decreasing amount of daylight / increasing amount of darkness that causes them to stop laying.
Often 1st year layers will lay thru winter without supplemental light, older birds are much less likely to do so.
This is a pretty good article about supplemental lighting if you care to employ that technique for more eggs in winter.
 
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Thank you so much everyone for your advice. I have heard of supplemental lighting but I feel I would rather let things happen naturally for our girls - I don't want to force the issue! I guess they will all start laying in their own good time, and yes, the comment that we all reach puberty at different times really does make sense. So too, does the egg-hiding - although I have already done a thorough sweep of the coop and yard with my hubby to look for hidden treasure - and found nothing! Glad to hear I'm not the only one (im)patiently waiting, ha ha! Thanks again! Krista
 
Oh my gosh, you wouldn't put money on it!

Two more RIR's started laying today for the first time!

Only 1 more to get on board the egg-laying train.

Who says complaining doesn't help?!

Krista :)
 
Where are the eggs?? We have 3 Reds laying. A buff that is so fat she's rolling (very cute) a white chicken with a drooping comb(looks silly) and two of the black and white ones (we call them henny and penny) the only ones laying are the three Reds. We did build a nice chicken coop for them but they are free roamers and chose to lay in a wagon under the car port. Could, the others be laying all over the yard or do you think they would all lay in the same place? I think they are all about the same age(they were Easter chicks and were given to us). Just question after question about these cuties
 
Where are the eggs?? We have 3 Reds laying. A buff that is so fat she's rolling (very cute) a white chicken with a drooping comb(looks silly) and two of the black and white ones (we call them henny and penny) the only ones laying are the three Reds. We did build a nice chicken coop for them but they are free roamers and chose to lay in a wagon under the car port. Could, the others be laying all over the yard or do you think they would all lay in the same place? I think they are all about the same age(they were Easter chicks and were given to us). Just question after question about these cuties
hahaha, I have some that are over a month older than yours and I'm still waiting for my first egg from them! Patience.
 

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