http://halfdozenchooks.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-close-are-our-girls-to-laying.html
We collected 2 18 week approx Speckeldys several weeks ago & they were laying within a few days. Some days 2 some only one. The 4 Plymouth Rock Bantams haven't laid since August/ Sept which is a shame as the eggs from Bantams are really beautiful. Ask Tim ;) ;D. I don't know how long they will take, should be soon though, hopefully. They will be worth the wait though ;).
Your girls looks good..but..they may not lay at all this year. Egg production is dependent of light levels and as it is coming to end of year they might give it a miss untill spring is here....but..it is good as they will have few extra months to develop and get their inner bits 'in order'..you are quite likely to get almost full size eggs once laying start and generally your girls health will benefit from later start..they are quite likely going to have less problems associated with laying ;) ;D
This last lot of mine did just that..missed the 'laying window' in autumn and didn't start untill end of February..and they are best layers I've ever had ;D
Thanks for the information. Feb is a long wait, but I am sure it will be worth it.
Quote from: Sparkly on October 27, 2010, 17:55:20
Thanks for the information. Feb is a long wait, but I am sure it will be worth it.
My 16 hens are still laying for England, I'm getting 8 - 12 a day still, surely they'll stop soon? Last year, i had none from mid Oct until late Feb. ???
My friends have 3 chooks & they haven't stopped laying since they got then 18 months ago. Even through the bad Winter we had they just carried on.
Laying capability depends of the breed too..and not all chickens molt every year neither..if they miss the molt and they are type of breed that lay lot anyway..it is quite possible that they won't have proper break from laying at all..just reduced rate during winter months.
I've got 4 out of 6 now molting and not laying..and 2 that lay every other day. I suspect that those 2 won't stop at all this year. Once day light levels increase they start proper production ;D
My chickens don't get much sun light during winter months due to surrounding buildings and tree so I'm not expecting much neither...but those of you who's girls are in open position and able to get winter sun and having suitable breed..all year round laying is quite possible. Commercially sheds have lighting with timer so they are getting full 'crop' of eggs even in winter..but that's why they only keep those hens for a year..two at most..poor girls are spent up after that.
ta da!
(http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/gallery/4528_11_11_10_6_40_34.JPG)
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Hip hip hooray. Enjoy ;) ;D.
Aww..bless..and with a bit bum fluff as well ;D