When will my chickens lay eggs?
Posted by Fiona Nevile in Chickens | 661 comments
Even though I know that egg laying is unpredictable at this time of year, it’s always a bit disappointing when I lift the lid of the nesting box and there’s only one. An egg from Carol. She is firing on all cylinders now and producing one egg a day, the maximum that a domestic hen can produce.
“What’s going on with the other four chickens?” I think as I stump back through the garden in my dressing gown and wellies.
The other four chickens are elderly maidens, well into their third year. I know that after two years egg production diminishes but somehow I hoped that the organic food and beautiful adornments in the pen might make a difference. Of course they don’t. As the years roll by, the chickens will produce fewer and fewer eggs until they go to that great pecking ground in the sky.
The pretty white bantams, have never been very obliging on the egg laying front. In their prime, they probably only laid two or three eggs a week. They are not a laying strain and we knew this when we bought them. But we have discovered that they are very photogenic and are happy to model endlessly.
I’ve been checking the hen’s combs. A pink comb indicates that a chicken is going broody, and will not lay. They are all a bright vibrant red, including Mrs Boss (this chicken won The Broodiest of all Known Chickens Award 2004, 2005 and 2006).
So you can imagine my delight when I lifted the roof of the nesting box this morning and found two small eggs nestling beside Carol’s large speckled brown one. I sprang back to the kitchen to make the perfect breakfast omelette.
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Hi, I recently bought 2 light sussex and 6 warrens at 20 week old from a reputable farmer at the end of March and as yet I have had no eggs. They are in a good sized pen with 6 nest boxes which are in side, hence in the shade with plenty of straw bedding. I have fed them on layers pellets from day one. I was told it was ok to feed them on layers pellets from 20 weks old. Is this ok or to early, should I of waited until they start laying and if ok when can i expect to see some eggs.
Hi Chris
I’m no expert but I always move my chicks from chick crumbs to layers pellets and they seem to do fine.
A move can really rattle hens – they could take a month to settle down and relax enough to lay. Try not to be impatient they are still very young and will lay when they are ready.
Now I never expect eggs before a year after hatching. There are always eggs before the year end date and I never experience the “no egg” angst.
there were worms in my chickens water bowl today that i have never seen what dos that meen there is no worms in there poo though thanks
Hi Stuart
Thanks for your input. Our hens have been laying much better this year than last when we didn’t have a cockerel. And most are elderly maidens -6 years plus.
Why did you have to cull the baby cockerels? Were they not the cross that you wanted?
How many cockerels do you have in your flock? I’d love to know the perfect ratio if you have a moment.
hi mimi if your not going to breed your own hens the cockrel is not much good to you your feeding something you dont need for nothing.also if you only have a few birds they will lay better without a cockrel around.if you do breed you also have to remember your going to get some cockrels and sadly have to get rid of them.ive been trying to breed a rode island cockrel with some 18 month old warrens the first lot are 6 week old and i can just identify them 3 cocks 2 hens but ive had to cull the cocks unfortunatly.the next should hatch tommorow then another lot monday.
Hi Mimi
We have just started keeping a rooster with our hens. He hatched out last autumn and is a beautiful and vociferous bird.
There are no downsides as far as I can see. He will fertilise some of the eggs if you want to produce your own chicks.
If you keep too many cockerels they will fight – and this is to be avoided as the fights can be very nasty – unless you have a lot of land and then they can have territories.
Great that you took the chicks. If you live in the Northern hemisphere they should easily be big enough to winter with the other hens.
Thanks for dropping by.
Hi Fn,
I have one more question if you can help….. is there a down side to keeping a rooster with the hens? (other than annoying the neighbors:)) My daughter has gotten attached to the bird we were told was a hen, but he’s definitely grown into a noisy rooster.
By the way, we took the new chicks. Now we have both babies and big ones….separate of course, but I’m hoping they can all winter together in the coop 🙂
Thanks.
my chickens arent laying eggs HELP ME!!!
Hi Emilie
Hannah’s questions are not simple to me.
If you find them simple, answer them. I’d really appreciate this as I have loads of other questions to answer and want to go to bed 🙂
how can u not under stand her questions there simple
I guess we may need to rethink getting the newbies. It seems we’ve just finished with chicks in the basement, I’m not sure I want to go back to the heat lamp, etc. so soon. Thanks for all your info. This is a great site. 🙂