Will My Pullets Lay In Winter?

[ChickenGirl555]

I have six, five-month-old pullets. Two Barred Rocks, Two Buff Orpingtons, and Two Easter Egger/Ameraucaunas (don't know which yet). All were born on August 2, 2017. Even though mine have never laid a single egg yet, I've been giving advice on egg laying because of how much I've already learned. But I'm debating against myself now. It's winter and they will reach six months of age on January 2, 2018. Since it's winter and they've NEVER laid and, will they not lay until spring? Or is it possible they could at least lay a small amount before spring?

Edit: They are going to be 5 months! Not 6, on January 2.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

At that age, they could start any time after winter solstice - which is coming up on the 21st. That's when days start to lengthen.

 

[Ridgerunner]

A couple of different years I've had pullets lay their first egg in the first or second week of December, before the winter solstice. I do not extend lights either. Go figure.

If they were hatched August 2 they are four months old, not five.

Sept 2 - 1 month
Oct 2 - 2
Nov 2 - 3
Dec 2 - 4 months

They will not be five months until January 2. While I have had some start to lay at 16 weeks that was in late summer. This time of year and with your breeds I'd expect you to get your first egg sometime in January or February. But you can't be sure of anything, they lay when they lay.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Some of my girls (rocks) start laying by 20 weeks. Usually a little delayed if maturing in fall. But I've had several girls start just recently at 25 - 29 weeks. It really depends on the individual. Yes, I'm looking forward to the winter solstice!

If you switch to layer feed too early it "could" delay development slightly. You can make oyster shell available any time and they will start accessing it as needed. Or better yet, all you birds are essentially dual purpose and will do better with a little more protein than light bodied layers like leghorn. 16% protein as in layer is the bare minimum. 18% would be better. I feed 20% flock raiser and put oyster shell on the side, because I have birds of all ages and genders with most being DP. My supporting link (written by a doctor of veterinary medicine, DVM) has one misprint that say 5-17% and should say 15-17%.. It is not my only source though...
http://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/files/186894.pdf

Come to think of it last years Aug born chicks started laying around Jan/Feb. They were Marans.

It isn't my preference, but you could start adding light gradually until reaching 14 hours of total daylight.. if you wanted to encourage them to start sooner since the laying hormone is kind of regulated by light once they reach maturity.

In addition their are clues to look for. The ladies get redder comb. They "might" squat if you quickly put your hand over their back (not all do). They often start cackling a bit more and even pacing or checking out the lay boxes. Putting a fake egg or golf ball in the box will show them that another hen finds that a suitable place to lay and may encourage them to lay there when they are ready. When they get startled they might break out into an eggs song. They might practice sitting in the box without actually laying the first time. And sometimes practice the egg song all day before it happens.

In my experience they will NOT wait until spring when August hatched.

Waiting is hard!

 

[dpenning]

My Fourth of July girls are starting to come online. I did put a bulb in the coop that comes on every morning at 5:30. I think one of my older girls started laying again too after I added the bulb in early to mid November. Before that they were all freeloading.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

One other thing...

your girls are likely EE and not Ameraucana. Ameraucana will ALWAYS be identified by their color and sold for more than the standard $3. More like $18 at some hatcheries that actually have them. There are other features that do/don't line up with the standard of perfection if there is any true doubt.

I like AM, but EE are also great birds. A mixed bag of personalities and laying consistency. But a variety of similar but different looks.

 

[PirateGirl]

My girls are 8 plus months old (hatched last February and March), it's full on winter here, short days, was down in the single digits last night and this morning, etc. I have one that's been laying consistently for awhile, but no new layers. I don't expect any new layers until after the solstice based on what people have told me on here.

 

[sbhkma]

Right there with you. I have 2 Welsummers that were hatched early April. They'll be 36 weeks this Friday. Combs and wattles have been red for some time. They get 20% protein flock raiser and have oyster shell and grit available at all times. Healthy, active birds that love to fly. No eggs yet. I have a fake ceramic egg in one of the nest boxes. I haven't even seen signs yet that they're sitting in the nest boxes yet. No egg song. No squatting. But they earn their keep with the bugs they consume when I let them out for a couple hours before dusk. (Yup, I've checked for hidden nests too since I had a gal that decided the rose bushes looked like an awesome place to lay) One of my dogs knows the command "find the eggs" and has fetched hidden eggs before. He's my Decker Rat Terrier.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

In my experience, Welsummers take longer.
If you can pick the birds up, check the space between the pointy pelvic bones. 2 fingers width or more and they're ready. If it is less, you have more waiting to do.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

If they were hatched August 2 they are four months old, not five.
Sept 2 - 1 month
Oct 2 - 2
Nov 2 - 3
Dec 2 - 4 months
They will not be five months until January 2.

Oh...
I've read some chickens can lay anytime between 5-6 months...so could they lay in January?