Wyandottes and Laying

[carolb0101]

Hi All

I've been looking at getting 2 Silver Laced Wyandottes aged approx 14 weeks, and there is a Blue Laced aged 18 months. I thought that 18 months would be a bit old and wouldn't lay much longer.

How old do they lay for?

 

[foxy]

Wyandottes are reasonable pure breed layers, so although not as prolific as hybrids they should lay for a bit longer. I have not kept Wyandottes myself but would imagine at least 4 years probably longer depending on the strain. I have pure bred faverolles and the laying is not too dissimilar and mine lay well into their 6th year.

 

[chrismahon]

At 18 months Carolb the Blue Laced Wyandotte will just be getting started. Ours laid more in their second year than their first. Ours were laying fine at three until the fox got them. At this time of year though they will start the moult and not lay in that period or much over Winter. Looking at about 180 medium eggs per year.

 

[Marigold]

Are the three of them being kept together in the same pen, Carol? If the Blue is in another pen to the others, ie doesn't know them already, you would have to be careful about managing introductions with the two much younger growers.

 

[carolb0101]

Thanks for the advice. There from the same supplier, but not sure how many pens he has. I'll be sure to find out.

Chris - Do Wyandottes start laying at the same age as other hens, ie about 22-26 weeks old?

We set some bait on Tuesday night to test the fox. He did come round and pulled at the wire, but no more than that. We have put another layer of wire on to be safe, and although we are sure he came round last night (left a 'calling card' on the path), he made no attempt to get in.

So, it everyitng is all OK tonight, we are hoping to get them tomorrow or Friday.

It's all very exciting - and very, very, scary.

 

[chrismahon]

Hi Carolb. Ours started laying at 26 to 32 weeks (we had 20). One decided not to bother and started the following Spring. They are Pedigrees, so they are for longevity not speed. Suits our target market -passing tourists. If we had eggs in Winter we couldn't sell them. They eat very little when they are not laying so it doesn't really matter. Commercially it would be a disaster of course and they factor in Capital cost of housing, which is their biggest expenditure.

 

[Stanley]

My Wyandottes took a while to start laying, not sure what age we got them at, around POL i assume, but they took a while and are now laying properly, a year later!