WOW!

[FamilyOfChickens]

We were gone on vacation for about a week (it was a blast!) and I couldn't believe how big are Americaunas (

That's what we paid for so that's what we call them. ) got! Red, the roo, is almost as big as the gsl's! Some of the hens such as Itty-Bitty and Pumpkin, who have always been the smallest, are still slight, but even they've grown. It's amazing!

Also, a few the 4-ish month old hens are starting to get little combs. Does this mean they may begin to lay eggs soon? We can't wait.

 

[silkiechicken]

Yep, red developing combs on 4 month old chicks are a sign laying is near!

 

[HobbyChickener]

I have chicks that are almost 4 month (born around April 1) when should I expect to start seeing eggs? And with that should I start feeding them oyster shells? Is there anything else that will aid in getting ready for laying to begin?

 

[FamilyOfChickens]

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That's great news! Now I'll have to be on the lookout for little eggs.

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Our Americaunas were born exactly on April 1st.

I think it depends on the breed, as well as your particular chickens. 4-5 months is probably the average time to start seeing eggs?

 

[silkiechicken]

Generally, egg laying starts at more of 5-6 months old. I found also that the earlier the girl layed, the quicker she stopped... my two earliest layers, started at 18 weeks, both had health problems 2 years into life. I think the stress on them so early wasn't good for them. As for preparing them, just get them on layer feed and put a dish of oyster shell on the side. They wont really need that oyster shell till about a few months after laying, and if they eat lots of regular feed, they don't really need it per se because layer feed already includes it.

 

[HobbyChickener]

Will they lay just anywhere? Or will they finally be smart enough to use the boxes I built them (they still roost out in the rain!).

 

[FamilyOfChickens]

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Eeeps. That's odd, then, because our gold sex links also started laying at around about 4 months- they were thoroughly spoiled, however. (Not with food, of course, but attention.

) They're a month shy of a year old and still goin' strong; I don't know what we'd do if they died early- the Americaunas, too.

What breed did you have; maybe that had something to di with it?????

It would seem to me that the free-ranging would factor in there somewhere, too?

Now you've got me worried!


HobbyChickener, once they start laying, take the eggs you find where they shouldn't be and put them in the nesting box. They should start laying them in the box, then, after a few days of that.

 

[silkiechicken]

I had one golden sexlink and one easter egg chicken that it happened to. I wouldn't worry about it. I've had lots and lots of chickens and it was only two out of the many layer's I've cycled through. They both got acities and it happened at two different times with everyone else fine. My golden sexlink is still around too, just doesn't lay eggs any more.

Are you sure your sexlinks were only 4 months old? Sometimes if you get them at the feed store they are already a week or two old (if not more) and when you keep track of dates you can lose a week or two. I would say it is a genetic thing sort of like how the Cornish x's grow up so fast and can't move. They were bred for production and not health per se.

I don't think free ranging would cause any negative side effects since they could supplement their feed with the vitamins and minerals from the goodies they choose to eat. It's probably better really so they don't eat that formulated chick grower feed that causes them to mature faster which means they may lay earlier.

At the end of this though. I wouldn't worry one bit about your hens dying on you. My EE that got health issues was bout 4 years old before I put her down. I'm sure her sisters would have lived much longer than that too if I had not rotated them out after2-3 years. It's always the nicest ones that things happen to. Go figure.

 

[FamilyOfChickens]

We ordered them from the feed store, but they came from a hatchery. And I'm almost sure they were no older than a day or two, due to appearance, behavior, and all of that good stuff.
They were definetely about 4 months old, give or take a few days.
I really appreciate your help, silkiechicken!