When do leghorns start laying?

[sawilliams]

I have 2 white leghorns 18 weeks both with red combs finger check was 2 a few days ago one looked tight but with a moist vent the other was dry. One or both are singing thier egg song though i think the 1 is still confused.

I'm not getting white eggs from either one (unless they are mixed white and not true leghorns and don't lay white eggs).

All the hens free range during the day and locking the 2 in the run is no use as they are flying the fence even with one wing clipped. I can't lock everyone in the coop as numbers are a bit high unless it was an emergency. I have scoured my property daily for a few weeks now including every spot and the areas where I catch one of them singing, all the places they rest from the heat of the day and all the places I have had prior hidden nests. I'm having no luck.

Am i going crazy? Should they be laying?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

When a pullet "should" lay... really doesn't matter...

My first leghorn I got they said would lay at 16 weeks. Bull, it was at least 22 if not 24 week! There will be variances among individuals even within the same breed EVEN if they had the same exact 2 parents. Genetics is a wide and wonderfully complicated subject.

In addition, what they have been fed can have impact. And laying hormone is effected by light. Some need more light than others.

My suggestion is just be patient. Usually within a few weeks after the singing starts. It's good practice for them. You MIGHT be going crazy! But your gals will start laying soon enough.

 

[sawilliams]

Thank you, I do feel crazy with these 2 is been at least 2 weeks since the first one got its red. Of 9 18w pulleys I have 4 with this color and 5 without. I'm pretty sure I'm already getting eggs from 1 if not both of the buff orpingtons but other then the occasional small egg I can't tell thier color from my other layers. Waiting on eggs is a stressful game.

 

[Fluffy&Cutie]

When a pullet "should" lay... really doesn't matter...

My first leghorn I got they said would lay at 16 weeks. Bull, it was at least 22 if not 24 week! There will be variances among individuals even within the same breed EVEN if they had the same exact 2 parents. Genetics is a wide and wonderfully complicated subject.

In addition, what they have been fed can have impact. And laying hormone is effected by light. Some need more light than others.

My suggestion is just be patient. Usually within a few weeks after the singing starts. It's good practice for them. You MIGHT be going crazy! But your gals will start laying soon enough.

the light info is interesting. i m in so cal, and it s been HOT. (90+ degrees daily) i try to keep my gals in the shade outside. (nice and cool) i know this question may sound weird, i m a newbie city gal...so patience please, but does that shade interfere with the egg laying??

 

[ronott1]

oringtons lay brown eggs and leghorns lay white eggs. It will be easy to tell which breed lays the eggs.

We are moving into less ours of daylight each day. That will make pullets take longer to reach point of lay. The will get there though!

 

[Killer Tomato]

My Leghorns laid at 19 and 20 weeks. One is perfect about laying in the nest box, the other lays under the Mother-in-law unit -- ARG! I also can't keep them penned in, they fly over everything. Like, EVERYTHING. When the weather cools off, I'm going to pen the egg hider in a nest box, and see if I can re-train her.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Heat can for sure. New hens will lay smaller eggs at first. Because of the heat they could even be soft shelled since you free range you might have a egg eater esp. with soft shells. If you have no luck with finding eggs look for egg yolk on somebody’s face. LH are wonderful layers once they get going. Is there anyway you could coop-up the hens you want to watch to verify IF they are laying? It’s exciting...but particularly when it’s their first egg. Good luck!

 

[Killer Tomato]

the light info is interesting. i m in so cal, and it s been HOT. (90+ degrees daily) i try to keep my gals in the shade outside. (nice and cool) i know this question may sound weird, i m a newbie city gal...so patience please, but does that shade interfere with the egg laying??

I don't think normal amounts of shade will interfere with the egg laying. It's not like you're keeping them in a windowless basement or cave, right?

The *heat* on the other hand, could interfere with egg laying -- you might have a drop in production when it's really hot. My hens are haven't slowed down, they're young and we have lots of cooling systems for them, but a long heat stretch might change their laying pattern.

 

[Fluffy&Cutie]

I don't think normal amounts of shade will interfere with the egg laying. It's not like you're keeping them in a windowless basement or cave, right?

The *heat* on the other hand, could interfere with egg laying -- you might have a drop in production when it's really hot. My hens are haven't slowed down, they're young and we have lots of cooling systems for them, but a long heat stretch might change their laying pattern.

no basement here, lol. just trees. i keep them cooled off like any crazed first time momma. ice cubes, electrolytes, frozen fruit, tray of water to cool their feet, and a mister, that they hate.
it's been so hot everywhere i wonder if all the egg laying starts late.
thanks for the info.
happy day!

 

[Killer Tomato]

Ha ha! You sound like my boyfriend! He keeps asking me, "Should we take them inside and turn on the air conditioner for them?"

We live in Oregon. It's only 78 in the shaded patio near the pond and misters he has for them! Ice blocks in the water dishes too.

I think we do what we can! Try not to worry too much.

My Jersey Giant took almost 8 months to lay her first egg (she was a late spring chick). I hope you don't have to wait that long!