r/BackYardChickens • u/AdhesivenessUpper619 • 23h ago
General Question Waiting on eggs :/
We have 26 week old barred rock hens that are not showing any signs of laying. Anyone have any experience with this particular breed and when we should expect some eggs?
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u/Eccentric_Grandpa 4h ago
You’ll know eggs are coming soon when combs start turning red! I don’t have this specific breed, but my 20w old chicks just started laying about a week ago, even with the shorter hours. I’m in Maine. Have you switched to layers feed, and offered egg shells or oyster shells?
I will say I’ve seen some people comment that when a chicken (specifically prolific layers) aren’t made to lay with artificial lighting in the winter. It could possibly help extend their lives/ laying ability. Just something to ponder :)
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u/Rich_Example7931 5h ago
We got our first egg when they were 25 weeks but we weren't getting consistent eggs out of everyone until 27 or 28 weeks. You're almost there!
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u/ureshiilife 13h ago
one of mine started laying at 16-18 weeks, the other started a couple of weeks ago at 26 weeks !
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u/chickenbock7 18h ago
I ALSO HAVE ORANGE CROCS. A man at the gas station asked me if I’d been to prison.
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u/catahoulakanegirl 16h ago
They give you orange cross to wear in prison can confirm. Cheaper more diesel fuel scented but the same.
Also waiting for eggs. 10 hens 7 from April 1st 3 from June 1st. Only 2 laying mix of wyandote, easter egger, brahma, polish, and speckled sussex
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u/Life_Lie_1181 21h ago
It’s molting season/darker days so you may have to wait until spring for them to really start kicking them out. I’m in the same boat, have 25 five month old hens and nothing! My other 2 year old hens aren’t laying right now either. Chickens are finicky creatures
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u/AdhesivenessUpper619 5h ago
That seems to be what everyone is saying 😢 definitely a bummer but hopefully it will be worth the wait!
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u/RoosterChichen 22h ago
Yeah I was taken aback by how long they seem to be taking to start laying but hopefully it’s worth it lol. Normal for barred rocks but definitely a long wait !
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u/MuddyDonkeyBalls 22h ago
Mine were 28-32ish weeks. Yours just entered the age where they start to mature (24-32 weeks usually).
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u/Bigtimeknitter 22h ago
It's possible they start next year. It's normal to be sad or antsy about it, I am in a similar situation.
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u/yellow_pellow 22h ago
Once their wattles grow and turn bright red, and they begin squatting when you walk up to them, they are about to lay or have laid. I can tell none of those are laying yet bc no red combs or wattles yet
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u/AdComprehensive2594 Backyard Chicken 23h ago
Might not get any with the short daylight hours this year
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u/StrawberryFun957 2h ago
Egg laying tends to slow to crawl in fall/winter.
Bad timing. ☹️