[Pony Girl]

I bought my gorgeous favorelle, Bella, in August this year but have not had any eggs from her yet. (she was hatched this year).

Should I be worried that she hasn't come into lay yet? Can any other owners advise when this breed should start laying. She is showing no signs yet. Bella is kept outside with our two pekin bantams and free ranges during the day.

[Sassy]

You don't give her age but it is often the case that some birds do not lay in the year they were born. They get mature enough but the daylight hours are not long enough by then. I would suspect that Faverolles may take longer to mature as well. I'm sure she will delight you early next Spring.

[Pony Girl]

Fingers crossed! She came from a breeder where she was kept indoors and apparently the other favorelles who were hatched at the same time as her started laying in September. I'm hoping it's possibly because Bella is kept outside that she is so behind her comtemporaries?

She has recently got over an infection (the vet couldn't specify exactly what it was) and her signs are all healthy.

[Lindeggs]

Yes, hens that are kept indoors are often forced into lay early by living in a climate-controlled environment.  They will especially be kept under artificial light that pretends it's springtime all year round!

Your girl, by living outside, is much more in tune with nature and will lay when nature tells her it's time. 

[Sassy]

I agree with Lindeggs it sounds as though they control the light indoors which dictates laying once mature.

[Pony Girl]

I think they just had natural lighting inside, it wasn't anything fancy, just an enclosure within a big shed / shack but I guess they don't get subject to the weather that my girls do. Fingers crossed for next year then!

[JaK]

My Salmon Faverolle hatched at the end of June this year and hasn't started laying either so I guess they just arn't old enough yet.

[Pony Girl]

Thanks, JaK. That's very reassurring to know. Keep us posted when she lays her first egg.

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