Will my pullets lay through winter?

[George678]

My free range pullets are about 25 weeks old now and I’ve still had no eggs from them yet!

Theyve got bright red wattles and big combs and look ready to lay but the days are getting shorter and colder here in the uk.

Can I expect any eggs in the coming weeks or will I have to wait until spring?

cheers

 

[George678]

My free range pullets are about 25 weeks old now and I’ve still had no eggs from them yet!

Theyve got bright red wattles and big combs and look ready to lay but the days are getting shorter and colder here in the uk.

Can I expect any eggs in the coming weeks or will I have to wait until spring?

cheers

 

[tripletfeb]

It all depends on the bird. My pullets started laying in Feb of this year and I didn't have to wait until spring like I thought. If they do start before winter, you can expect them to keep laying all winter long, first year pullets usually do. And they won't need lighting to lay

 

[Mrs. K]

Once they wattles and combs turn bright red - I figure 4 weeks to eggs. You might get lucky. If they start, they should lay through winter...but they could hold off and not start until early February. I have one that hatched in July...she has been looking at nests...but?

 

[David61]

my 20 week old girls started laying on Christmas and egg production picked up all of January into February. by mid February each one was laying an egg everyday. so yea, they will be good to go this winter.

 

[aart]

My free range pullets are about 25 weeks old now and I’ve still had no eggs from them yet!

Are you sure they are not laying?
Might be time for an exam:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Then maybe....
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop/run for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[George678]

It all depends on the bird. My pullets started laying in Feb of this year and I didn't have to wait until spring like I thought. If they do start before winter, you can expect them to keep laying all winter long, first year pullets usually do. And they won't need lighting to l

Are you sure they are not laying?
Might be time for an exam:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Then maybe....
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop/run for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will

Are you sure they are not laying?
Might be time for an exam:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Then maybe....
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop/run for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

I’ve moved them all inside to the barn now with plenty of bedding so hopefully they will lay within the coming weeks as there taking ages

 

[George678]

Once they wattles and combs turn bright red - I figure 4 weeks to eggs. You might get lucky. If they start, they should lay through winter...but they could hold off and not start until early February. I have one that hatched in July...she has been looking at nests...but?

Yeah hopefully they’ll start soon as there almost 26 weeks old and they look ready to lay just have to wait and see

 

[Hoosier Mamaw]

My free range pullets are about 25 weeks old now and I’ve still had no eggs from them yet!

Theyve got bright red wattles and big combs and look ready to lay but the days are getting shorter and colder here in the uk.

Can I expect any eggs in the coming weeks or will I have to wait until spring?

cheers

I have 6 pullets now at 22 wks old and not yet laying. I'm hoping it's soon!

 

[3KillerBs]

I’ve moved them all inside to the barn now with plenty of bedding so hopefully they will lay within the coming weeks as there taking ages

Is the barn well-lit?

Light, not temperature, is the key to laying.