Egg laying/molting timing.

[Franklinridgefarms]

I have some pullets that were hatched from two different settings the last of May 24 and early June 24.
They have not started to lay yet. My thinking is that they were too young to start laying before the decreased daylight, and will likely start when the daylight gets longer towards spring.
My question is will they lay on through the winter of 2025/2026 or will they molt and slow/stop laying then?
Trying to figure out if I need to get some new early spring chicks to have eggs for next winter or will what we have now continue to lay?

 

[aart]

My question is will they lay on through the winter of 2025/2026 or will they molt and slow/stop laying then?

Probably not.

Trying to figure out if I need to get some new early spring chicks to have eggs for next winter or will what we have now continue to lay?

I always tried to hatch early enough for them to be laying by the time the olders were molting. But it can still be hit or miss.
Supplemental lighting is about the only real way to get eggs thru winter.

 

[Franklinridgefarms]

Probably not.


I always tried to hatch early enough for them to be laying by the time the olders were molting. But it can still be hit or miss.
Supplemental lighting is about the only real way to get eggs thru winter.

Thanks, for the response. I figured they probably wouldn’t.
When I’ve bought pullet chicks early like March and April, I’ve had good success with them laying by the fall, but since my broody hens didn’t set till later, it didn’t work out for this winter.

 

[Mrs. K]

Well I don't know, not too long ago, I had someone on here say that if a summer chick does not lay by winter, and begins in the spring, she will lay through the following winter. (I am whispering here) I have 2 pullets out of three that are laying for me now, the only birds in the flock.

One is a production red, got in July last year. One is a red bird got as a chick in August last year. Her 'sister' had a soft molt and is not laying. I have a pullet that hatched in July this year, is beginning to redden...maybe get eggs as soon as the solstice passes?

Just keep checking every day, there is really nothing about chickens that is true 100% of the time, as in if you do this, then you get that. Just have to try and see. Most of us have boughten eggs at different times. My DH loves to tease me, when they are on the list.

Mrs K

 

[Ridgerunner]

My thinking is that they were too young to start laying before the decreased daylight, and will likely start when the daylight gets longer towards spring.

I've had some pullets start laying in December while the days are still getting shorter. I've had some wait for spring. I've had hens that finished the molt start laying this time of the year, I've had some of them that waited until spring. You never know when they will start.

My question is will they lay on through the winter of 2025/2026 or will they molt and slow/stop laying then?
Trying to figure out if I need to get some new early spring chicks to have eggs for next winter or will what we have now continue to lay?

While you never know for sure what they will do I'd get some pullets.

 

[Mrs. K]

Very surprisingly, today, I had a larger brown egg, and another brown egg. I have been getting a green and brown from the above mentioned pullets, so one of my older birds must have come back into lay??? See - one really never knows...

And I agree with Ridgerunner, always get pullets!