Well, your chickens go through something similar. 3. Think of them as children. Good luck! Most hens start to lay at around twenty weeks of age. is to place false eggs inside the nest box. Instead of the body focusing on producing eggs, it focuses on growing new feathers. Awesome article! Some hit puberty way younger than others. If so, I bet youre eagerly waiting for those fresh eggs to arrive. Remember that each chicken is different and her egg-laying capacity may vary drastically from that of her peers. If youre wondering when your chickens will start laying eggs, read along to learn the signs that signal eggs are on the way. If you are buying them outright, then ask the seller about age and breed. Chicks are susceptible to illnesses such as coccidiosis, infectious bronchitis and many others. In general, chickens start laying eggs at 6 months old. This is an average scale and it can vary from flock to flock. Dont worry production will peak in about ten weeks, and the eggs will also start to look more normal after the first few days. Please note that we dont suggest lighting the coop to force chickens to continue to lay eggs through winter. Enjoy your new friends, sounds like you already are. We arent sure which one, but it was found in a bird bath hole. However, is there a minimum amount of time after the young hens began laying eggs, for the eggs to become hatchable or is it a free for all, from day one? Clean, fresh water is important at all times of the year, but particularly during these extreme weather conditions. Additional Reading: 20 Best Egg Laying Chickens Signs Your Hen is Ready to Lay Before trying to figure out whether your hen is ready to lay, make sure you first determine that you have a hen and Once up and running your ladies are likely to be trouble free for a good long while, enjoy their eggs and their personalities! Here are some key signs that your chicken is about to lay their first egg: All of these behaviors are signs of her changing body status. Like we said earlier in this article, providing your chickens with a healthy lifestyle and setting them up for success is the best way to encourage them to lay eggs. A good way to resolve this is to provide your hens with proper housing via chicken tractors or enclosed runs or to lock them in the coop until there is no longer a threat. The average hen starts to lay eggs at 18-24 weeks, but they can take up to 8 months to start laying. Resist the temptation to prolong the amount of time that you keep them on high protein ration. Controlling the temperature of your coop can lead to a higher likelihood of egg-laying. Silkies develop much slower and are not sexually mature until much later. Do the silkies roost somewhere before you put them into the coop? Do hens lay eggs in the winter? Brahma Chicken: The Definitive Breed Guide, Silkie Chicken Breed Guide: Care, Background, and How-To Guide, Greater Scaup: Identification and Behaviors, Hooded Merganser: Identification and Behaviors, Dabbling Duck Species: Everything You Need to Know, 22 Types of Ducks: Behaviors and Appearances, Cedar shavings (be careful using Your chickens will give you love and you return that by taking good care of them. Make sure to place the nesting box off the ground because in general chickens prefer boxes that are elevated from the ground for protection against predators such as rats and snakes. As chickens age, they naturally slow down. Your email address will not be published. You should also make sure that your nest boxes are filled with plenty of soft nesting material. Some may start laying at 17 weeks, while others hold out until 22 weeks. Our Easter Egger ladies are always last to add their colorful eggs to the basket, which is a known trait for their breed. Many of the more popular breeds (especially the sex links) have been specifically bred to be young and productive layers. For example, if your hen has white lobes, it will lay white eggs. What can I do we have fox& racoon glory I dont dare not shut them in how do I get them to? Young hens, or pullets, begin to lay between 18-22 weeks in age, around six months. What age do chickens usually start laying eggs? In general, chickens start laying eggs at 6 months old. They are 7 months and 7 days old. Just keep in mind that you will need to adjust your feeding patterns slightly as your hens move into the laying stage and we will address this particular issue later on in the article. Many chicken breeds will naturally lay one egg a day. Sex link chickens tend to lay much earlier than other types of birds. We bought three chickens last month, and when they arrived they were perfect, laying eggs (in rotation day by day, we could tell by the colour of the eggs) and going to roost every night. In all, I hope this article helped to clue you in on the signs to watch for as your chickens get ready to lay. It all comes down to the breed of bird, their health, and genetics. The Andalusian chicken is among the oldest chicken breeds that lay white eggs. Once your hens reach maturity twenty weeks of age you can feed them a more balanced feed that has up to eighteen percent protein. They are one of few breeds to reliability lay blue eggs, so I can appreciate youre anxious to start collecting their eggs. She will squat close to the ground and spread her wings out. You may find that one will start laying at 17 weeks old while another from the same clutch wont start until the 20th week. When do chickens start laying eggs when you have different breeds in your flock? In fact, some breeds take even longer to start laying eggs. She may even begin to test it out and sit inside, even if she isnt quite ready to lay yet. Lots of them lay adorable little eggs. Some breeds, however, can lay much sooner than others. You should plan on having one nest box for every three hens. Chickens that have historically been bred for the purpose of egg production often start laying eggs sooner (as early as 17 or 18 weeks old), including Leghorns, Golden Comets, Sex Links, Rhode Island Reds, and Australorps. Often, chickens who are deficient in calcium will lay eggs that are weak, misshapen, or malformed in some way. If the amount of calcium in the hen is extremely low then she will stop laying egg altogether. 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. Once everything is running smoothly their eggs will gradually get bigger over the next few months. This process usually takes a month or two. (Though Ive read there is something more jarring and irritating about the tone of a rooster crow than hen songs to most people). Australrops, Leghorns, and other smaller breeds tend to lay eggs earlier. Often, the first eggs are laid irregularly or are smaller or oddly shaped when compared with a typical egg. While cold conditions can be tough on some, Simple herbal salve or balm recipe I, Just a complicated plant, happiest basking in the, Have you grown chamomile before? The chickens start laying eggs at 16-18 weeks old and will continue for 3-4 years before egg production declines. Your email address will not be published. Comb and Wattle Turn a Deep Red Color The anticipation of seeing your moneys return, and gaining from it. Bickering more with the other hens? Other breeds, like Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, and Delawares also lay eggs relatively early usually around eighteen weeks of age. Hi! If you want to get more technical about things, pick your chicken up. What time of year did they mature? When Do Most Chickens Start Laying? Many factors go into this equation. Once you have guided them through chick hood, they will slowly become more independent in their ways. Vegan Roasted Sugar Pie Pumpkin 3-Bean Chili Recipe, Baby Chick Care 101: Brooders, Heat, Health & More, Help, My Chicken is Molting! We recently moved to a new location and all of our chickens decided to stop laying eggs and molt even though it is only August and they usually wait until at least September or later. When Do Most Chickens Start Laying? These are a hardy dual-purpose breed that can handle cold climates, lay large brown eggs and provide good quality meat. ). Between the natural tendency of chickens to scratch bedding (and poop) into their waterers, you should make your best efforts to elevate your waterer and keep it clean. Odd shaped eggs are common in young layers and in older layers that are coming to the end of their careers. As you reach that 18-week mark, one can get pretty antsy. A sick chicken will lay poorly. Just a couple of pieces of plywood will work. When do chickens start laying eggs with different diets? If you decide to expose your hen to extended periods of light it can cause her to lay more eggs throughout the winter months. when your chicken is in the early stages of its laying days think from pullet If this happens very early on (under 8 weeks old) it could be a sign that the chicken is a young rooster! Hens tend to slow in their egg production during the colder months, not just because of the temperature, but because the amount of available daylight is drastically reduced. You should check your birds once a month for any outward signs of illness, and bring a fecal sample to a veterinarian if you think you have a problem. Whether you have kept chickens for years, or are just starting out on your chicken journey. You can, however, put wooden eggs, plastic Easter eggs, or golf balls inside the nest boxes. I was so egg cited! Every chicken and breed is different (just like humans! When Do Most Chickens Start Laying? I may make a small commission from purchases made through some of those links, at no extra cost to you. I may make a small commission from purchases made through some of those links, at no extra cost to you. Yippee! Others, such as Orpingtons and the Brahma, have been bred to be dual purpose heritage breeds. The reason is because of a trick that farmers use. So you have a brooder full of cute little fuzzy chicks racing around. Not only are they very productive but they are also friendly and Read More , Small chickens can make a lovely addition to your flock. 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. Some breeds will begin laying eggs as early as 16 weeks old, while others may not lay their My silkies dont go in coop at dark like rest of chickens do.I have to put them in every night why? 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! How is your hen interacting with the rest of the flock? On average, our chickens laid between 18 and 22 weeks. Jump to: There are a few breeds that take even longer such as the much loved Silkie. The myth is that your chickens earlobe color determines the color of eggs your hen will lay. So, before your young chickens start laying eggs, they may become increasingly talkative too. Most hens will begin laying between 16-24 weeks, but others are may begin much later. Comb and Wattle Turn a Deep Red Color In general, chickens begin laying eggs when they are six months old, although this depends on the breed. If she is ready to lay, her pelvic bones will have pulled apart in a slight separation -or they will be getting ready to pull apart. Well, your chickens go through something similar. Do hens lay eggs in the winter? If they are bullied or the coop is too small are a couple reasons they may not be going inside. It is more about being in tune with their needs and learning about their lifestyle. If you go away on vacation, youll need a reliable chicken-sitterand they can be scarcer than hens teeth! You only need about 25 watts of incandescent light for every square foot to encourage your hens to lay. If you are buying them outright, then ask the seller about age and breed. Expect to collect eggs daily, or even twice a day. What to Expect & How to Care for Molting Chickens, Feeding Chickens Eggshells or Oyster Shells for Essential Calcium & Health, Chickens Eating Eggs? Expect to collect eggs daily, or even twice a day. We lovingly call this the submissive squat. However once she has laid her first egg she may go for a few days or a week without laying another egg. If you want to keep your girls laying over winter, see our article here. However, when she starts to squat, it is a good sign that she is getting ready by acclimating herself to this kind of behavior. Silkies develop much slower and are not sexually mature until much later. You can mix the two feeds together for a few weeks gradually phasing out the higher protein feed altogether. If youve already factored out broodiness and molting, the temperature might be the problem with your chickens not laying eggs. And if your chicken has red lobes, they usually lay brown eggs. At this stage, you should feed a formulation with less protein no more than sixteen percent until they reach twenty weeks. In general, chickens start laying eggs at 6 months old. Still waiting impatiently for that first egg? Thanks for reading and good luck. Early layers that are in good health may start laying as young as 14 to 16 weeks of age. If you find that your feed bill has suddenly gone through the roof, dont panic! The Andalusian chicken is among the oldest chicken breeds that lay white eggs. However, this time frame varies depending on the breed of chicken. Breed: Some smaller breeds reach chicken egg laying age as early as 4 months old, while larger ones dont start until 8 months. There are some diseases, like coccidiosis, bronchitis, and fowl pox that cannot only delay egg production, but can also kill your birds. There are certain key signs to watch out for when a chicken is about to start laying eggs. For example, Rhode Island Reds typically start laying eggs at around 5 months old. Though Golden Comet is an earlier layer so I would assume it should be anytime now. This will help show your chickens where they need to lay their eggs, and will also entice them inside if they are having trouble figuring things out. If you are buying them outright, then ask the seller about age and breed. That being said, some breeds start laying younger while others take a little longer. As a general rule of thumb, heavier breeds like Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, and Orpingtons tend to lay a bit later than the smaller breeds like Austrolorps and Leghorns. On the other hand, young female chickens develop their combs and wattles more slowly. Your first eggs could be small in size or have soft shells (which you can combat with an extra calcium supplement). Genetically, some of the newer breeds, such as the Golden Comets, have been bred specifically to lay lots of eggs. If you want to raise a breed of chicken that will lay eggs very young, consider raising a newer breed like Golden Comets. Then, theyll probably take a break the following winter after that. You may notice that your hen has become increasingly curious about your nest boxes. Many commercial strains have been bred to start laying as early as 18 weeks. Hope that helps and good luck! The large majority of chickens will all start to lay eggs sometime between 16-20 weeks old. However, it isnt uncommon for young chickens to continue laying eggs right through their first winter! Over the years, we have had some extra-early overachievers along with our fair share of late bloomers, but found that around 20 to 22 weeks was the most common age for our chickens to start laying eggs. WebA chicken typically starts laying eggs around 18 weeks. They are docile, friendly, and Therefore, gradually transition your chickens to a layer feed when they reach 18 weeks of age or when the first egg arrives, whichever occurs first. Some chicken breeds start laying around 18 weeks of age, but the average hen doesnt start start laying until around the 24 week mark. But you are probably wondering just when do chickens start laying eggs? Additional Reading: 20 Best Egg Laying Chickens Signs Your Hen is Ready to Lay Before trying to figure out whether your hen is ready to lay, make sure you first determine that you have a hen and KnowYourChickens.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This behavior is often misinterpreted as a sign of affection when really, its a reproductive behavior and you are triggering it by serving as the dominant presence in the chicken coop. Required fields are marked *. If there is no rooster around, shell submit to her human instead. Some hit puberty way younger than others. So now that you know the answer to the question of when do chickens start laying eggs, you are ready to start your journey! (a little bit) easier. 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. Weather, too, can play a role extremely hot or extremely cold weather can cause a fluctuation in egg production. This includes breeds such as Red Comets, Rhode Island Reds, Wyandottes, Leghorns and Easter Eggers. Here are some good choices for nest box 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)! These breeds will start to lay at around 16-20 weeks of age. Dont panic! It is unwise to try and push your hens to lay sooner than they are ready for. Molting, which is the process of shedding old feathers, also reduces egg-laying. By observing them closely you will come to know all of their little idiosyncrasies. 9 Ways to Prevent or Stop It. . The downside of this is that they usually dont live much longer than three years and production drops off in the second year. While hens can lay eggs without the presence of a rooster (albeit unfertilized eggs), a rooster will obviously not be able to produce any eggs for you. If your chickens are coming into maturity or point of lay in the winter, know that you could very well see a delay in initial egg production. If you are looking Read More . Some, however, delay laying until they are 6 months of age or even older. Here are a few of our other chicken related articles if you are interested: Help, My Chicken is Molting! The eggs might even have double yolks or no yolks at all. Providing free-choice access to feed is your best bet. The average age that a young female chicken starts to lay an egg is around 6 months of age (or around 24 weeks of age). I will only link to products I know and believe in! However, take all appropriate precaution -such as making sure your coop is clean and your chickens are well fed- to prevent any diseases or parasites. They are one of few breeds to reliability lay blue eggs, so I can appreciate youre anxious to start collecting their eggs. In general, most chickens start to lay eggs between 16 to 24 weeks old, but thats a wide range of weeks. Hey Mustapha, just let nature take its course, 16 weeks is the absolute earliest chickens will lay eggs. If you go away on vacation, youll need a reliable chicken-sitterand they can be scarcer than hens teeth! However there is not a magic date at which point they will produce that first egg. Well, your chickens go through something similar. A few larger breeds, such as Brahmas, Cochins, and Jersey Giants may not start producing until 26 or even 28 weeks Change the water frequently and consider using nipple drinkers to streamline the process. It is almost like a proud mother announcing the birth of her new babies. So youve made the decision to invest in a flock of backyard laying hens. Chickens tend to like laying eggs in a clutch, where other eggs are. Short day length is how a hens endocrine system tells the body to stop laying eggs. She will lay 6-7 eggs a week for close to 3 years. Anything from parasite infections (like lice, worms, or mice) to transmittable diseases can delay or stop egg production entirely. This question is also variable based on how you are getting your chickens. Organic Gardening | Real Food | Natural Health | Good Vibes. While you should be feeding your birds chick starter for the first six weeks of life, which has up to twenty-two percent protein, you will need to adjust your feeding schedule and type once the birds surpass six weeks. But it is important to understand that time is a crucial factor. In the meantime, check out six signs that your pullet is about to Some breeds will begin laying eggs as early as 16 weeks old, while others may not lay their They stop laying during this time and it will usually last through the winter into spring. Calcium helps support the development of strong egg shells. Remember that the quantity and freshness of your feed matter, too. How old were your chickens when they started laying eggs? Using safe, sanitary, and clean methods in your coop will drastically reduce the chance of disease. When do chickens start laying eggs based on flock dynamics? This breed, developed in Andalusia, Spain, is renowned for its confidence and beautiful appearance. We ship anywhere in the U.S. (except Alaska and Hawaii), 2023 The Hen House Collection by Bird-in-Hand Pet Structures | Privacy Policy. You wont find a magic date when they produce their first eggs. In addition to switching your girls over to a layer-specific feed, you should also add a calcium supplement. Usually she will start laying eggs again, but watch her and try to make sure she is not sick. 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. Some, however, delay laying until they are 6 months of age or even older. A triumphant hen will often sing an egg song as soon as she has dropped her first egg. Again, it also signals that egg production is nigh. Comb and Wattle Turn a Deep Red Color 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. Thank you. 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. The large majority of chickens will all start to lay eggs sometime between 16-20 weeks old. As her hormones shift and she gets ready to start laying eggs, her combs, wattles, and face will change from light pink to brighter red in color. Hello my 3 hens are 13 weeks old and I have a rooster which I didnt want , Ive read remove the eggs daily so the hen doesnt hatch them is that correct I dont want peeps and do t know what to do with my roo You may notice that your hens are spending more time inside or engaging in other odd behaviors just before they are ready to lay their first eggs. Heres a list of popular egg-laying chicken breeds and when to expect seeing eggs. Check out this article all about winter chicken care. Yippee! There are a few factors that will influence when a chicken will start to lay eggs. A sexually mature hen will also look mature there wont be any bare spots in her feathers and she will look clean and shiny. The myth is that your chickens earlobe color determines the color of eggs your hen will lay. It should not be mixed into the feed because this will limit their intake. Thanks for this article! The hens of this breed lay 200 light-speckled brown eggs or chocolate-colored eggs weighing 2.1-3 ounces yearly. Hens get stressed at some of the seemingly strangest things. In the meantime, check out six signs that your pullet is about to My name is Deanna, aka DeannaCat. Some hit puberty way younger than others. The average age that a young female chicken starts to lay an egg is around 6 months of age (or around 24 weeks of age). These are often considered hybrid breeds, and they start laying at around sixteen to eighteen weeks of age. your chickens have identical patterns, laying behaviors, or volumes. At 18 weeks, choose a complete layer feed with the Purina Oyster Strong System to help your hens lay strong and stay strong. 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 breed of chicken determines when they start to lay, as well as the frequency & size of their eggs. Egyptian Fayoumis live for eight 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. They will take turns using the boxes, but you can add additional boxes for extra hens if necessary. Ty. Is she hanging out more with the rooster? A big aspect of owning a flock of chickens is making sure they are being fed well. However, if your hen is lacking a good supply of water, this can also affect his or her laying patterns. Hens will lay eggs through spring and summer and into the fall, as long as they have 12 to 14 hours of daylight. This is where oyster shell comes in. The breed of chicken determines when they start to lay, as well as the frequency & size of their eggs. Some, however, delay laying until they are 6 months of age or even older. If you go away on vacation, youll need a reliable chicken-sitterand they can be scarcer than hens teeth! Watching them turn into beautiful, industrious ladies is a joy that never gets old. Certain breeds of chickens are known to start laying eggs earlier than others, and each breed has their own average age range for egg development. This is a question that most new backyard chicken owners have. We have 4 Orpingtons at are about 5 months old, and we got our first egg today. Other fixes include adding extra bedding to your coop and nesting boxes and venting the top of your coop. Hi Rebecca, while I cant say for sure why the chickens arent roosting, your chickens may be starting to molt? I am very encouraged. On average, young female chickens start laying eggs or come into lay around 6 months of age. In general, chickens start laying eggs at 6 months old. Do hens lay eggs in the winter? Just be patient, and remember that other factors come into play, including the breed and time of year. Caring for chickens is not really hard work. Eventually, it will happen. This is nothing to worry about! Home-raised backyard chicken eggs cant be beat. Most chickens begin to lay at about 20 weeks of age. WebThe most popular chicken breed known to lay the most eggs is the Rhode Island Red. Yet, you havent seen any results or are anxiously awaiting the day youll see those juicy fresh eggs. First and foremost, you need to know that chicken health and happiness are the best way to encourage egg-laying. A few larger breeds, such as Brahmas, Cochins, and Jersey Giants may not start producing until 26 or even 28 weeks She will lay 6-7 eggs a week for close to 3 years. Usually, most pullets are around 18 and 24 weeks old (4 to 5 1/2 months) when they start laying eggs. As heritage breeds they will not lay as many eggs per year but they will lay for more years to come. We have 3 Easter eggers.yesterday Eleanor laid her first blue egg!!! The hens of this breed lay 200 light-speckled brown eggs or chocolate-colored eggs weighing 2.1-3 ounces yearly. Some may start laying at 17 weeks, while others hold out until 22 weeks.