Will pullets start laying in January?

[tazcat70]

I have some chicks that will be 18 weeks at the beginning of January. I know that 18 weeks is early based on what I have read but....should I have a nest ready just in case? Or will they wait until the days are longer?

Tonya

 

[silkiechicken]

It is possible so I would put nests in. I've had chicken start to lay in the middle of winter, but they were about 20 weeks old leghorns.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I'd go ahead and have the nesting boxes ready too...I've had lots of young pullets start laying in the dead of winter......

 

[tazcat70]

Ok thanks!!! I will plan on putting it in. Maybe I will get my first egg for my birthday 12/29.

Tonya

 

[Fancy Feather Poultry]

Taz cat, christmas baby huh? it must be cool getting birthday presents right after christmas.

 

[gardener]

I was wondering the same thing (if they would start laying in winter) as mine will be 18 weeks at the end of January.

 

[Southern28Chick]

Doesn't it all depend on the amount of light they get. I've always heard to keep a light in the hen house in the winter.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Didn't with mine Southern, I don't supply light for winter laying..

 

[greyfields]

Yes they will. I have a batch coming due in January, so I'll put them in the laying shelter in December with lights. That should get the eggs popping out right on time.

As an aside, I visited an egg farm recently up north. It was a 'factory farm'; but a little nicer than all the ones you see the horrible photos of. He incubates a new batch every two weeks for replacement layers. Every two weeks and a new batch of 200-500 birds replaces older pullets. So, every two weeks he has a new set of hens coming into lay. It's the artifical lighting that allows you to do year around eggs. And of course, I think it's a lot more humane with us doing it our in pastures with our little 60W lightbulbs and lots of caring.

 

[tazcat70]

Actually it was HORRIBLE being a Christmas baby. All my siblings would get 2 celebrations a year and I would have one. Alot of times I would get a present that was for both my Christmas and birthday.....

Sigh, yes I have issues with it and so when my son was born 10 days BEFORE Christmas I make sure it doesn't happen to him.

About light...My husband came in the other day and said "You are going to need a light in the coop this winter if you want to get any eggs." Shocked me because that means he has read something somewhere because I have not told him that. I wonder if this means that he doesn't HATE the chickies.

If that is the case time to get more!!!

JK!


Tonya