Barred Plymouth Rock Laying

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me when approximately a Barred Plymouth Rock should start to lay. She will be 30 weeks tomorrow (9th October). I know pure breeds take longer to come into lay and its usually +/- 26 weeks.

She doesn't seem that bothered about it, she runs around my garden like a big old bus rocking from side to side. Do I need to worry about it?

 

[Tim]

Hi Nephets,

If you are in the UK, at this time of year, some pure breeds won't start until the spring as the daylight hours decrease although some will come into lay at a reduced rate over the winter.

The good news is, when a chook starts laying, she will lay small eggs but the more she matures and grows, the better so when you do get eggs, they will be larger!

30 weeks is definately laying age (unless you bought her from a breeder who inflated her age - which can happen?) Just make sure she isn't overfed - fat chooks don't lay eggs! This article - Feeding Chickens gives you some ideas on how to feed. A common mistake is feeding too much corn or scraps.

Hope this helps!
Tim

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Tim,

Thanks very much for that and yes, I am in the UK. I had 3 more chooks from the same breeder (who is very reputable!) and they started laying between 22 weeks and 26 weeks, a Cream Legbar and 2 RIR's and they've been prolific, mostly 3 eggs a day with the odd day when I get 2. I guess its just a question of waiting.

Thanks again.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with what Tim said that fat chooks don't lay. I had two barred rocks several years ago and they were laying to start with, but after a while they stopped. The breeder I bought them off told me to put them on a diet - just a handful of pellets each chook morning and night. About a month later they started laying again. I think this breed likes to eat, I've never had the problem with any others. :lol: