Chicken bald back

[Gentle1973]

We got our chickens exactly two weeks ago and still no eggs. What is the average time before they start laying.

 

We let them free range as much as possible, I work until 3.15 each day so they are out from about 4.00pm until it gets dark. They are also quite friendly, although our particularly nosey one did manage to peck my daughter right in the eye this afternoon (she's fine - so's my daughter!!).

 

We are going on holiday in three weeks, so knowing my luck they will lay their first egg whilst we are away !

 

Anyway, has anyone any idea how long it takes for them to start laying, two were apparently on point of lay when we got them and our Rhode Island Red was a week behind.

 

Thanking you in anticipation!

[Laura & CTB]

Hi Wendy

 

Glad to hear your daughter's ok - ouch!!

 

Do you know how old your hens are?

Mine started laying at about 26 weeks but some take much longer. Are they all hybrids?

 

Are their combs big and red? That's always a good sign they're getting ready to lay, also when you approach them they will start to crouch down - then you've got about a week to go

[Gentle1973]

I think they are now about 20 weeks old. No their combs are not really developed, just little things (thank goodness, as they really set my teeth on edge!!! !!

 

So from the sound of it we have a little way to go yet

[Hen Watch]

Hi Wendy. I've just posting the same reply to Pengiunmad - sorry if I am repeating myself.

 

My 1st chickens came from Omlet (and brochure says POL approx 18 weeks old) but I think in fact they were all different ages. You can see from my signature below they all started laying at different times.

 

My 4th Amber Star chicken sourced elsewhere was also POL (point of lay) but I was told by the agent was 14 weeks old. So I'm not expecting anything from her for a while.

 

My Miss Pepperpot crouched for a good few weeks before eggs arrived. But they did duly arrive following the crouching episode.

 

PS. Red, large combs is a good sign also but I should just say that the first of my chickens to lay has a tiny (only a few millimetres) comb and it is still the same. She's obviously a strange one.....

 

Also take a look at this post.

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=234

[Gentle1973]

I'm interested what you say about them crouching, as I've just been out with them and my bluebird kept crouching down when I went near her, or if I stroked her - hopefully this is a good sign then.

[James516]

My Miss Pepperpot started laying about 3 weeks after getting her from Omlet. The Gingernut Ranger, delivered at the same time, still hasn't laid and it has been about 8 weeks now.

 

They will get around to it, I'm sure!