As you probably know, chickens follow a pecking order in a flock. They will also swell and become larger. Hi Kam, it may take your chickens a little coaxing to start using their nest boxes but the wooden eggs will usually do the trick. 3. The amount of daylight also has an effect on egg production. Wild chickens will not lay as many eggs as their tamed counterparts. Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, such as Amazon links. But they are well fed and no sickness. We publish weekly guides and articles written by experienced chicken enthusiasts! Expect them to start to lay at around 24 weeks of age. It should not be mixed into the feed because this will limit their intake. Easter eggers are some of our favorites, and our chickens are are beloved pets and buddies first and foremost the eggs are just a bonus! The process of egg laying will leach calcium from the hens body causing brittle bones. Some people are under the impression that Easter Eggers lay all sorts of colored eggs. My silkies dont go in coop at dark like rest of chickens do.I have to put them in every night why? The average age that a silkie chicken will begin laying eggs is around 8 months of age. The time of year you get your chickens can impact when they first start to lay. Younger birds eat starter and grower feeds that contain higher levels of protein to support their rapid growth. I may make a small commission from purchases made through some of those links, at no extra cost to you. While some breeds are able to produce eggs year-round, others stop for certain times of the year. WebThe most popular chicken breed known to lay the most eggs is the Rhode Island Red. I had a black copper maran named luna too :)). Some, however, delay laying until they are 6 months of age or even older. All you need to do is put your hand out over her. Some chickens may start laying eggs as early as 16 to 18 weeks old, while others may take upwards of 28 to 32 weeks (closer to 8 months old)! Think of them as children. That being said, some breeds start laying younger while others take a little longer. Thanks for reading and good luck. So how do you know that your hen has laid her first egg beyond actually finding it in the nest box, of course? Often, the first eggs are laid irregularly or are smaller or oddly shaped when compared with a typical egg. At 18 weeks, choose a complete layer feed with the Purina Oyster Strong System to help your hens lay strong and stay strong. Once up and running your ladies are likely to be trouble free for a good long while, enjoy their eggs and their personalities! In fact, some breeds take even longer to start laying eggs. Pullets, or young hens, generally reach laying age at around sixteen weeks of age although this can be slightly older or younger depending on the breed. Once you have guided them through chick hood, they will slowly become more independent in their ways. Some research indicates that the average hen will produce about 600 eggs in her lifetime. A newborn will obviously not be able to produce eggs, for most breeds 18 weeks to 6 months is a close range of when your hens can start laying eggs. There are a few breeds that take even longer such as the much loved Silkie. When Do Most Chickens Start Laying? KnowYourChickens.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Usually, most pullets are around 18 and 24 weeks old (4 to 5 1/2 months) when they start laying eggs. Heres a list of popular egg-laying chicken breeds and when to expect seeing eggs. If you go away on vacation, youll need a reliable chicken-sitterand they can be scarcer than hens teeth! See our Top 18 Backyard Chicken Breeds article to learn more about different breeds, including heat and cold-hardiness, general demeanor, egg color and laying frequency. Australrops, Leghorns, and other smaller breeds tend to lay eggs earlier. Resist the temptation to prolong the amount of time that you keep them on high protein ration. These are often considered hybrid breeds, and they start laying at around sixteen to eighteen weeks of age. WebDuring ideal day length (14-16 hours of light) and with adequate nutrition, housing, and management, hens (depending on breed) should begin producing eggs when they are18- 22 weeks old. You might be wondering how eggs arent a seasonal item if hens dont produce eggs during the winter. Oyster shell is a roughly ground source of calcium that is an important supplement for hens. Many factors go into this equation. We have 4 Orpingtons at are about 5 months old, and we got our first egg today. When Do Most Chickens Start Laying? Right before your hen starts laying eggs, she will be checking out her nesting box. Some breeds lay relatively quickly whereas others seem to wait forever, why is that? If your hen does not have the appropriate place to lay her eggs, particularly a place that is private and secluded, she might not start producing eggs right way or she may lay them in an undesirable location. These are a hardy dual-purpose breed that can handle cold climates, lay large brown eggs and provide good quality meat. The downside of this is that they usually dont live much longer than three years and production drops off in the second year. If they are bullied or the coop is too small are a couple reasons they may not be going inside. That being said, some breeds start laying younger while others take a little longer. The information here has been very helpful. What age do chickens usually start laying eggs? You should be able to tell if your Buff Orpingtons are point-of-lay and close to laying their first egg when their combs and wattles redden and they start to squat. Hens arent born ready to lay eggs from day one. Change the water frequently and consider using nipple drinkers to streamline the process. If you want to raise a breed of chicken that will lay eggs very young, consider raising a newer breed like Golden Comets. A chicken typically starts laying eggs around 18 weeks. If youre going the other route and breeding your chickens, you can educate yourself more about your hens breed and see what the standard is for them. Thank you. It is more about being in tune with their needs and learning about their lifestyle. Your chickens will give you love and you return that by taking good care of them. WebDuring ideal day length (14-16 hours of light) and with adequate nutrition, housing, and management, hens (depending on breed) should begin producing eggs when they are18- 22 weeks old. She will squat close to the ground and spread her wings out. Many commercial strains have been bred to start laying as early as 18 weeks. You want to increase day length in order to drive your hens to lay. Though Golden Comet is an earlier layer so I would assume it should be anytime now. 9 Ways to Prevent or Stop It. Silkies develop much slower and are not sexually mature until much later. For added privacy and a reduced likelihood of egg breakage or eating, you can also hang curtains over the entrance of the box. Great article. The majority of young chickens will start laying eggs the first year that you have them. As you reach that 18-week mark, one can get pretty antsy. Any help? Hi Joan, how many chickens are in your flock and how many of them are silkies that are staying outside? Most chickens begin to lay at about 20 weeks of age. Most chickens begin to lay at about 20 weeks of age. Just a couple of pieces of plywood will work. They are docile, friendly, and As fun as it is to have them bow down I assumed that action had something to do with mating behavior. Some hit puberty way younger than others. I am very encouraged. Now, squatting is a behavior that you can encourage in your hens. the egg was delish too! I find it funny that crowing roosters are banned in many urban areas, because hens can be damn vocal too! Jump to: Every chicken and breed is different (just like humans! In the meantime, check out six signs that your pullet is about to Some of those pesky to do things can be Read More , The Australorp is one of the most productive and enjoyable backyard chickens around. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ae85b1ba5d1a732dd94e6123e8c01862" );document.getElementById("d926f7c7d8").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. stage all the way up to three years of age you might not find that all of This is nothing to worry about! The specific breed of your chicken will impact how long it takes for them to start laying. Others are more delayed. (A teenage female chicken, thats less than a year old, is called a pullet .) Chickens And More is quickly becoming the online destination for all backyard chicken enthusiasts. This is where oyster shell comes in. Some hit puberty way younger than others. Some chicken breeds start laying around 18 weeks of age, but the average hen doesnt start start laying until around the 24 week mark. Even if your whole flock is only Leghorns, this does not mean they will all start laying eggs at the same time. Golden comets The golden comet can start laying eggs as young as 16 weeks. When a hen squats, she is signaling to a rooster that she is mature enough to be bred and she is essentially inviting him over for the act! Not only are they very productive but they are also friendly and Read More , Small chickens can make a lovely addition to your flock. This is a question that most new backyard chicken owners have. Poking around the nest box? Nest boxes should provide at least one square foot of area for every four hens. Luckily, there are some preparatory steps you can take now to make the waiting : If your flock matured in the fall, you may have to wait until spring for them to lay eggs. So, youve committed the time and money to raise chickens. You can get very creative in how you make your own nesting box. As an example if you have a hen that lays wrinkly eggs then she most likely has been exposed to infectious bronchitis at some point. Once your chickens are 16 weeks old you should start to transition them from their higher protein feed to a traditional 16% layer feed. Home-raised backyard chicken eggs cant be beat. Hey Mustapha, just let nature take its course, 16 weeks is the absolute earliest chickens will lay eggs. So when do chickens start laying eggs? Any more info you can provide will help. Some chicken breeds start laying around 18 weeks of age, but the average hen doesnt start start laying until around the 24 week mark. In general, chickens begin laying eggs when they are six months old, although this depends on the breed. : If your flock matured in the fall, you may have to wait until spring for them to lay eggs. If the amount of calcium in the hen is extremely low then she will stop laying egg altogether. Your chicks are soon going to be using a large amount of calcium daily. The Nesting Box. Interestingly the attitude of the older hens towards the new girls becomes a bit more accepting, like she has become a member of the Layer Club. You are about to reap one of the biggest benefits of owning and raising chickens farm fresh eggs every day of the week! A late bloomer all the way around. Breed: Some smaller breeds reach chicken egg laying age as early as 4 months old, while larger ones dont start until 8 months. There really is not a set time limit for this but the transition between feed should be finished by week 20. The Golden Comet usually lays more eggs than the If you are talented you can provide them with curtains for extra privacy. WebMany hens lay their first egg around 18 weeks of age and then lay up to an egg each day, subject to breed, environment and individual bird. The Andalusian chicken is among the oldest chicken breeds that lay white eggs. So now that you know the answer to the question of when do chickens start laying eggs, you are ready to start your journey! Standard sized chickens need a 1212 inch box, bantams need 1010 inch and large breeds require 1414 inch. On average, young female chickens start laying eggs or come into lay around 6 months of age. Buff Orpington chickens start laying eggs between 22-26 weeks of age (about 6 months). these, as the scent can be too strong at times). Our Easter Egger ladies are always last to add their colorful eggs to the basket, which is a known trait for their breed. Most chickens begin to lay at about 20 weeks of age. The Andalusian chicken is among the oldest chicken breeds that lay white eggs. She will lay 6-7 eggs a week for close to 3 years. It can be up to six months (24 weeks) before breeds like Orpingtons, Jersey Giants and Brahmas are ready to lay their first egg. All year round, youll have to shovel manure. For example, if your hen has white lobes, it will lay white eggs. Early layers include Rhode Island Red, barred Plymouth Rock and sex links such as Cinnamon Queen. It all comes down to the breed of bird, their health, and genetics. Comb and Wattle Turn a Deep Red Color In fact, some breeds take even longer to start laying eggs. The breed of chicken determines when they start to lay, as well as the frequency & size of their eggs. If you are buying them outright, then ask the seller about age and breed. Egg production drastically drops off after the first couple of years of maturity. If your hens have displayed a change in appetite or behavior, and if they are missing patches of feathers all over their bodies, they could be molting. . Overall it is an individual thing that is beyond the hens control and they will start laying eggs when they are good and ready. Almost immediately, the rooster began to mount them. My goal is to inspire and help others to lead more healthy, sustainable lives by sharing tips and tools that make gardening and "modern homesteading" easy and enjoyable ~ so you can learn and dive in with me! The nest box should have a lip so that bedding stays put (unless the hen kicks it out), it also prevents the egg from rolling out too. Some hit puberty way younger than others. Some breeds, however, can lay much sooner than others. Your email address will not be published. Hi Keith, once your chickens start laying eggs they can be hatched if the egg was fertilized. They can take up to nine months (40 weeks) before they decide to lay. Hello, I found this article very interesting I didnt know about the squat! Some breeds of chickens may start laying eggs sooner than others. Enjoy your new friends, sounds like you already are. This question is also variable based on how you are getting your chickens. Comb and Wattle Turn a Deep Red Color That being said, some breeds start laying younger while others take a little longer. Homestead and Chill 2023 All rights reserved. Ensure that your coop is securely sealed, and patch up large gaps caused by rotting wood. It is unwise to try and push your hens to lay sooner than they are ready for. Hens will lay eggs through spring and summer and into the fall, as long as they have 12 to 14 hours of daylight. However, if your hen is lacking a good supply of water, this can also affect his or her laying patterns. They are docile, friendly, and Other top egg-laying breeds include the Golden Comet, Australorp, Sussex, and Leghorn. The chickens start laying eggs at 16-18 weeks old and will continue for 3-4 years before egg production declines. They are one of few breeds to reliability lay blue eggs, so I can appreciate youre anxious to start collecting their eggs. Most hens will begin laying between 16-24 weeks, but others are may begin much later. I'll, There's no shame in buying nursery seedlings, We officially broke ground on our new orchard, Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, such as Amazon links. I hope she inspires her sisters to do the same! Sex link chickens tend to lay much earlier than other types of birds. Thanks for this article! They may begin laying as early as 16 weeks! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us at 800-490-3163, Manufacturer of beautiful backyard chicken coops. When do chickens start laying eggs in a chicken coop? Hi Carol I agree! The average hen starts to lay eggs at 18-24 weeks, but they can take up to 8 months to start laying. One of our chickens laid their first egg today. The anticipation of seeing your moneys return, and gaining from it. As a new owner of chickens or as a veteran, you should know the better your chickens quality of life, the faster they start producing eggs. Just be patient, and remember that other factors come into play, including the breed and time of year. Remember that the quantity and freshness of your feed matter, too. We arent sure which one, but it was found in a bird bath hole. How often do chickens lay eggs in the wild? Give the girl a good pet on the back, but keep in mind the biological reason for her squatting behavior isnt about cuddling with humans! WebThe Earlobe Myth. Then, theyll probably take a break the following winter after that. WebChickens usually start laying eggs when they are around 6 months old. I may make a small commission from purchases made through some of those links, at no extra cost to you. Some research indicates that the average hen will produce about 600 eggs in her lifetime. December and wintertime in general is a period where most birds will stop laying eggs. Now, not every chicken will undoubtedly squat, but all of the girls in our flock did and started laying eggs within a week or two thereafter! In general, heavier chicken breeds, such as Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, and Orpingtons, tend to lay a bit later. The amount of daylight also has an effect on egg production. Good luck! Chickens will lay eggs anywhere that seems safe and private so its not unheard of to have eggs hanging out in your compost bin, under your porch, or even beneath a bush. I know that hens, once mated with the rooster, takes about 7-10 days, to become fertile. You should also avoid feeding food that is super old. The myth is that your chickens earlobe color determines the color of eggs your hen will lay. Right before your hen starts laying eggs, she will be checking out her nesting box. Others, such as Orpingtons and the Brahma, have been bred to be dual purpose heritage breeds. Some chicken breeds start laying around 18 weeks of age, but the average hen doesnt start start laying until around the 24 week mark. Nutrition is of paramount importance when it comes to good egg production. This breed, developed in Andalusia, Spain, is renowned for its confidence and beautiful appearance. You can, however, put wooden eggs, plastic Easter eggs, or golf balls inside the nest boxes. Young hens, or pullets, begin to lay between 18-22 weeks in age, around six months. However, this time frame varies depending on the breed of chicken. The Golden Comet usually lays more eggs than the Genetically, some of the newer breeds, such as the Golden Comets, have been bred specifically to lay lots of eggs. Yippee! Breed: Some smaller breeds reach chicken egg laying age as early as 4 months old, while larger ones dont start until 8 months. These breeds will start to lay at around 16-20 weeks of age. Many of the more popular breeds (especially the sex links) have been specifically bred to be young and productive layers. Consider your chicken breeds very carefully when buying your backyard chickens. Occasionally you will have a hen that will start laying and then stop for a really long time like a month or more. Hi Cindy, collecting the eggs on a daily basis will help keep your hens from going broody where they will sit on the eggs in hopes that they will hatch. Short day length is how a hens endocrine system tells the body to stop laying eggs. Once everything is running smoothly their eggs will gradually get bigger over the next few months. 3. Hens will lay eggs through spring and summer and into the fall, as long as they have 12 to 14 hours of daylight. For example, if your hen has white lobes, it will lay white eggs. Let the Hen House Collection help you in your endeavors and create a custom chicken coop thatll meet your needs. All she is doing is trying to familiarize herself with her new digs, and theres nothing you need to do (or should do) to discourage or encourage this behavior. They are also much bigger chickens and need time to fully develop before spending energy on egg laying. If a hen is stressed or frightened in any way, it may hold off laying eggs until it senses that the danger has passed. Here are a few of our other chicken related articles if you are interested: Help, My Chicken is Molting! We got 4 Easter Eggers about 10 weeks ago, excited for eggs whenever they get around to it but mostly happy to have little garden mates! . Eventually, it will happen. As a young chicken matures, their combs and/or wattles become increasingly large. If youre wondering when do chickens start laying eggs, and how you can encourage them to lay eggs, here is a quick guide filled with tips and tricks that you can follow! I was so egg cited! She's one of, My top 8 easy annual flowers to grow from see, Love is in the air, and the wildlife are feel, What do all these photos have in common? On average, our chickens laid between 18 and 22 weeks.