[sharck]

Hi I am fairly new to this hobby and have had my Rhode Island Reds for 12 weeks now and they are 26 weeks old.  They seem to be happy, healthy and have a nice  :blink:(!) life, mostly pottering about the garden.  I'm sure i've ticked all the boxes as far as care, shelter and feeding but as yet have had no eggs - am I being a bit optimistic?

[Dopey113]

Should be laying around about now... check in the morning now you posted this, bet you get on or 2 

[GrannieAnnie]

Rhodeys are pure breeds, and ours didn't start laying until they were at least 30 weeks old.  My oldest hen but one was 42 weeks.

I did re-home an amberlink hybrid once because she didn't lay, and she laid her first egg at 2.5 years!   

So have patience, it is still early in the year too.

[splash101]

i've had Rhode Islands from chicks and mine took a while, mine were 9 months old but i put the delay down to being winter.

a few days before the 1st  one started laying her behaviour changed and she was vocal as if trying to tell me something (obviously she was) and she was dashing to and fro as if she needed to spend a penny and there was someone in the WC

as soon as you mention it to anyone an egg will appear (just so they can prove you wrong)

[sharck]

hanks so much for your words of encouragement - will keep you posted !