Will my Chickens Lay in the Winter?

[smdcleland]

Hello. I am new to chickens. I have 7 wonderful Rhode Islands Reds. I love them so much and really enjoy caring for them and learning about them. They are 18 weeks tomorrow. I live in upstate NY and it is getting cold! Will they wait until spring to start laying eggs or do you think they could lay this winter? I have not heard any egg laying songs or found any yet, which is fine. I am just wondering and learning!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

They likely will wait until spring at this point

 

[smdcleland]

I got them all at the same time, but some hardly have any combs and wattles, and others have big red ones! Maybe they are still growing?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I've had pullets start to lay this time of the year, when the days are at their shortest. I've had pullets wait until later in the spring. The winter solstice is only a couple of days away so the days will very soon start to get longer. The days getting longer is one of the triggers that can start them laying.

Even at a perfect time of the year yours might not be laying for another month anyway so it is still a bit early. I've had some start to lay at 16 weeks, but that is pretty rare. Most of mine seem to start around 20 to 24 weeks but most doesn't mean all.

You never know when they will start. Your RIR's are a production breed, that usually means sooner rather than later. I'm sure you are taking good care of them and they are eating well. It could easily be another month or two but I'd still keep an eye on them. Sometimes they surprise you.

 

[smdcleland]

Thank you. I will watch them. I have a fake egg in one of the nesting boxes just in case. They seem very happy and healthy.

 

[Happy hen lover]

Mine were about 18 - 20 weeks old last year this time and even tho the days were shorter my hens started I did supplement lighting some in wee hours of am. This year no lights and they're still going strong. I have one RIR she's a trooper you will love them. It's so hard to wait for their first eggs.!

 

[smdcleland]

Thank you all for the comments!

I worry about them in the extreme cold. I have a sweeter heater in the coop hanging from the ceiling. It doesn't make it warm in there but should help cut the cold.

Know why some have big red combs and wattles, and why others are still small and pale?

 

[aart]

Know why some have big red combs and wattles, and why others are still small and pale?

Usually that means laying and not laying.....unless the big red ones are males.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Ridgerunner]

Know why some have big red combs and wattles, and why others are still small and pale?

There can be different reasons that I'm aware of. Different chickens of the same breed can mature at different rates. Like Aart said, bright red combs and wattles are a sign that they are laying or getting ready to lay. It's nature's way of telling a rooster this hen or pullet needs to have her eggs fertilized. Pale combs and wattles tell him to not bother. A good rooster will pay attention. So some could be more mature and more ready to lay.

Also as Aart said, boys generally have larger and redder combs and wattles than girls. I hope that's not it.

As part of the breed standards each chicken within a breed should have a specific type of comb. The Rhode Island Red is different in this. The breed standards allow both a Single comb or a Rose comb. The vast majority are going to be Single combed, but it is always possible you got some with a Rose comb. Close-up photos could help identify this.

Those breed standards go into more detail than just basic type. They can get into size and shape. Some single combed breeds want an upright comb, some want it to be floppy. Some want a larger comb, others smaller. Some want prominent wattles, others want smaller wattles. Some may go so far as describe the acceptable number of points on a comb. If the person that selects which chickens gets to breed uses this information on combs as a criteria when selecting those breeders the flock can come real close to the comb and wattles breed standard. If they don't, you can get a huge variety in the appearance of the comb even in the same flock of the same breed. If you are breeding for show you need to pay attention to this. Many other breeders don't, so you can get a fairly wide variety in the looks of the comb and wattles, even if they are all single combs.

 

[smdcleland]

Thank you! I have all females
No roosters. Our neighbors would likely get upset with crowing. They all appear to be single combs too.