A hen will not produce eggs until she feels ready. Chickens need 14-16 hours of daylight in order to lay eggs. My name is Deanna, aka DeannaCat. Additional Reading: 20 Best Egg Laying Chickens. Lots of them lay adorable little eggs. Expect to collect eggs daily, or even twice a day. and I dont blame you! If you have carried a child, you know all about the nesting instinct. Many factors go into this equation. You wont find a magic date when they produce their first eggs. The myth is that your chickens earlobe color determines the color of eggs your hen will lay. The Golden Comet usually lays more eggs than the The Nesting Box. However, some birds will lay sooner, and others will lay later. Please leave your valid email address below. Breed: Some smaller breeds reach chicken egg laying age as early as 4 months old, while larger ones dont start until 8 months. 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. 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! While the highest volume of eggs will come Some breeds lay relatively quickly whereas others seem to wait forever, why is that? Australrops, Leghorns, and other smaller breeds tend to lay eggs earlier. 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). Their bodies know best, and need a natural break. ). They are one of few breeds to reliability lay blue eggs, so I can appreciate youre anxious to start collecting their eggs. Thank you. The hens of this breed lay 200 light-speckled brown eggs or chocolate-colored eggs weighing 2.1-3 ounces yearly. Think of them as children. What time of year did they mature? WebThe average bird will lay by the time they reach six months of age. This can lead to some serious health problems for them further down the road like egg bound chickens. A hen who reaches maturity in the summer should be just fine with the amount of daylight provided naturally, but if your hens reach laying age during the fall or winter, you might want to add supplemental light to your chicken coop. Also because of their smaller size, they need less space and food. Most hens will begin laying between 16-24 weeks, but others are may begin much later. WebChickens usually start laying eggs when they are around 6 months old. There are a few factors that will influence when a chicken will start to lay eggs. Yesterday, she was really loud and kept walking back into the coop and looking at the nesting boxes. Know Your Chickens is a free resource dedicated to teaching backyard chicken owners more about their flock. They are one of few breeds to reliability lay blue eggs, so I can appreciate youre anxious to start collecting their eggs. : If your flock matured in the fall, you may have to wait until spring for them to lay eggs. WebThe Earlobe Myth. Eventually, it will happen. In general, most chickens start to lay eggs between 16 to 24 weeks old, but thats a wide range of weeks. We ship anywhere in the U.S. (except Alaska and Hawaii), 2023 The Hen House Collection by Bird-in-Hand Pet Structures | Privacy Policy. During a winter cessation of laying, youll also notice the chickens combs and wattles become smaller and pale again, swinging with their hormones. In all, I hope this article helped to clue you in on the signs to watch for as your chickens get ready to lay. 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. On average, young female chickens start laying eggs or come into lay around 6 months of age. WebThe average bird will lay by the time they reach six months of age. Still waiting impatiently for that first egg? Check out this article to learn more about providing essential calcium for laying hens. Hens will lay eggs through spring and summer and into the fall, as long as they have 12 to 14 hours of daylight. Some hit puberty way younger than others. What age do chickens usually start laying eggs? How often do chickens lay eggs in the wild? If you want to raise a breed of chicken that will lay eggs very young, consider raising a newer breed like Golden Comets. Please note that we dont suggest lighting the coop to force chickens to continue to lay eggs through winter. I am very encouraged. 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. Other fixes include adding extra bedding to your coop and nesting boxes and venting the top of your coop. This question is also variable based on how you are getting your chickens. They are docile, friendly, and When we put in the nesting boxes we added a wooden egg in two of the three boxes. If you interfere with their flock dynamics by adding or removing chickens, this will throw your flocks cycle out of order. Sex link chickens tend to lay much earlier than other types of birds. When do chickens start laying eggs based on flock dynamics? While a hen will not develop the massive wattles and comb that a rooster has, she will develop wattles that are large and red just before she starts to lay. Nevertheless, here are some of the signs to Hi Joan, how many chickens are in your flock and how many of them are silkies that are staying outside? But you are probably wondering just when do chickens start laying eggs? You are about to reap one of the biggest benefits of owning and raising chickens farm fresh eggs every day of the week! Remember that each chicken is different and her egg-laying capacity may vary drastically from that of her peers. In general, chickens start laying eggs at 6 months old. She had been squating for a week or so ahowever her comb only reddened 2 days before she laid. Please feel free to ask any questions, or spread the love by sharing or pinning this article! Any purchases made through affiliate links are greatly appreciated, as they enable me to continue to create and share with you! In general, heavier chicken breeds, such as Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, and Orpingtons, tend to lay a bit later. Required fields are marked *. You can use crushed oyster shell or even crush up eggshells to feed back to them. Other top egg-laying breeds include the Golden Comet, Australorp, Sussex, and Leghorn. Ameraucana chickens start laying eggs between 20-24 weeks (5-6 months) of age. 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 Some people are under the impression that Easter Eggers lay all sorts of colored eggs. If your hens cant get into a nest box, they may hold off on laying until they find a suitable location. She will lay 6-7 eggs a week for close to 3 years. It all comes down to the breed of bird, their health, and genetics. Right before your hen starts laying eggs, she will be checking out her nesting box. Early layers include Rhode Island Red, barred Plymouth Rock and sex links such as Cinnamon Queen. Well talk about the average age that chickens start to lay eggs, how breed plays a role, and a few tell-tale signs that eggs are on the way. They are often called fairy or rooster eggs. Hi, 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. Some, however, delay laying until they are 6 months of age or even older. Before your hens start to pop out those eggs, there are a couple of things you will need to make their lives easier. 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. Hi Keith, once your chickens start laying eggs they can be hatched if the egg was fertilized. One of our chickens laid their first egg today. Molting, which is the process of shedding old feathers, also reduces egg-laying. This is nothing to worry about! When do chickens start laying eggs with different diets? They may begin laying as early as 16 weeks! Some of those pesky to do things can be Read More , The Australorp is one of the most productive and enjoyable backyard chickens around. Overall it is an individual thing that is beyond the hens control and they will start laying eggs when they are good and ready. Many breeds start laying at about 5 months of age. We already mentioned the importance of providing your hen with proper nutrition in the days prior to, and during, laying. material: Daylight hours are critical when it comes to encouraging a hen to lay. 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! A nesting box makes finding and collecting eggs much easier for you. As you walk by your young hen or reach out a hand to pet her, she may stop, squat, and put her wings out slightly to her sides. Breed: Some smaller breeds reach chicken egg laying age as early as 4 months old, while larger ones dont start until 8 months. Other breeds, like Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, and Delawares also lay eggs relatively early usually around eighteen weeks of age. Australrops, Leghorns, and other smaller breeds tend to lay eggs earlier. WebChickens usually start laying eggs when they are around 6 months old. Even if your pullet is ready to lay in January, she might wait until the days are longer. As heritage breeds they will not lay as many eggs per year but they will lay for more years to come. Think of them as children. When do chickens start laying eggs when you have different breeds in your flock? 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. Others, such as Orpingtons and the Brahma, have been bred to be dual purpose heritage breeds. However, this time frame varies depending on the breed of chicken. If you have carried a child, you know all about the nesting instinct. We have 4 Orpingtons at are about 5 months old, and we got our first egg today. Hens will lay eggs through spring and summer and into the fall, as long as they have 12 to 14 hours of daylight. Bickering more with the other hens? Backyard Chickens 101: What to Expect When Youre Expecting, 10 Ways to Keep Chickens Cool During Hot Summer Weather (or Heat Waves), Feeding Chickens Crushed Eggshells (or Oyster Shells) for Essential Calcium, The Top 18 Chicken Breeds for Your Backyard Flock, Baby Chick Care 101: Brooders, Health, Heat & More, Caring for Chickens in Cold Winter Weather, Sprouted Seeds: a Healthy Treat for Your Backyard Chickens. (We use layers pellets, clean weekly, etc). These commercial farmers use lights to ensure egg production continues throughout the winter. Controlling the temperature of your coop can lead to a higher likelihood of egg-laying. Before you know it, youll have baskets full of beautiful large fresh eggs right from your backyard. Although layer feed does contain calcium, some hens require more than is provided by the feed. The large majority of chickens will all start to lay eggs sometime between 16-20 weeks old. However, when she starts to squat, it is a good sign that she is getting ready by acclimating herself to this kind of behavior. A few larger breeds, such as Brahmas, Cochins, and Jersey Giants may not start producing until 26 or even 28 weeks The large majority of chickens will all start to lay eggs sometime between 16-20 weeks old. The myth is that your chickens earlobe color determines the color of eggs your hen will lay. If you want to get more technical about things, pick your chicken up. Backyard Chicken Coops Manufacturer Since 2007. Any more info you can provide will help. Many commercial strains have been bred to start laying as early as 18 weeks. This includes breeds such as Red Comets, Rhode Island Reds, Wyandottes, Leghorns and Easter Eggers. It is almost like a proud mother announcing the birth of her new babies. The amount of daylight also has an effect on egg production. (a little bit) easier. This breed, developed in Andalusia, Spain, is renowned for its confidence and beautiful appearance. At 18 weeks, choose a complete layer feed with the Purina Oyster Strong System to help your hens lay strong and stay strong. It is unwise to try and push your hens to lay sooner than they are ready for. Most commercial feeds are good enough for your chickens but still pay attention to the protein, vitamins, and minerals they are getting. Good luck and hopefully you dont end up with too many chickens! Expect to collect eggs daily, or even twice a day. Some may start laying at 17 weeks, while others hold out until 22 weeks. Chickens need a certain amount of sunlight to lay eggs which usually correlates to certain times of the year, as in, Spring through Summer is usually their most productive time. However there is not a magic date at which point they will produce that first egg. How old were your chickens when they started 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 In general, chickens begin laying eggs when they are six months old, although this depends on the breed. Laying hens prefer about sixteen hours of sunlight which can be tough to come by in most climates. Eventually, it will happen. These are a hardy dual-purpose breed that can handle cold climates, lay large brown eggs and provide good quality meat. These are often considered hybrid breeds, and they start laying at around sixteen to eighteen weeks of age. They are docile, friendly, and Here are a few of our other chicken related articles if you are interested: Help, My Chicken is Molting! Jump to: Yet if you happen to get your chicks later in the year (summer or fall) and they come into maturity during darker, colder days of fall or winter, they may wait until the following spring to start laying eggs! The information here has been very helpful. 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). Eventually, it will happen. If you go away on vacation, youll need a reliable chicken-sitterand they can be scarcer than hens teeth! If you have frequent predator problems or suspect them- know that your hens might not lay until they feel secure. In general, chickens start laying eggs at 6 months old. Oyster shell should be provided as a free choice supplement, it should not be mixed in with their regular food. If the bones are crowded close together, laying is not going to be any time soon. This is more for your convenience than theirs. Hello, I found this article very interesting I didnt know about the squat! These are a hardy dual-purpose breed that can handle cold climates, lay large brown eggs and provide good quality meat. I will only link to products I know and believe in! Molting redirects energy from egg laying to growing feathers so it can cause a brief halt in egg production. For example, Rhode Island Reds typically start laying eggs at around 5 months old. Awesome article! 3. If you are buying them outright, then ask the seller about age and breed. The male chicken is 6.6-7.7 lbs, while the female is 5.5-6.2 lbs. A big aspect of owning a flock of chickens is making sure they are being fed well. Let the Hen House Collection help you in your endeavors and create a custom chicken coop thatll meet your needs. Most chickens begin to lay at about 20 weeks of age. 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. It all comes down to the breed of bird, their health, and genetics. 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 I hope she inspires her sisters to do the same! 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! You can get very creative in how you make your own nesting box. If you are looking Read More . This is where oyster shell comes in. Just as humans need to grow to achieve reproductive maturity, so do chickens. Egg laying will be erratic for a while before your hens settle into a routine. Occasionally you will have a hen that will start laying and then stop for a really long time like a month or more. Both of these diseases leave scarring on the reproductive system to some extent and can impact the number of eggs and the quality of those eggs laid. There are a few breeds that take even longer such as the much loved Silkie. You can get very creative in how you make your own nesting box. Young hens, or pullets, begin to lay between 18-22 weeks in age, around six months. The downside of this is that they usually dont live much longer than three years and production drops off in the second year. I read it a couple of weeks ago and then last week my big young Buff Orpington (she has big red comb and wattle too!) As you reach that 18-week mark, one can get pretty antsy. 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. So, before your young chickens start laying eggs, they may become increasingly talkative too. They also get stressed when they are startled on the nest by loud, unusual noises or strangers. As chickens age, they naturally slow down. Most chickens begin to lay at about 20 weeks of age. For your rooster, I would look into people in your area with larger properties that may want a rooster, posting something on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or Next Door may a good start. If youve already factored out broodiness and molting, the temperature might be the problem with your chickens not laying eggs. They are also much bigger chickens and need time to fully develop before spending energy on egg laying. For example, if your hen has white lobes, it will lay white eggs. This question is also variable based on how you are getting your chickens. Anything from parasite infections (like lice, worms, or mice) to transmittable diseases can delay or stop egg production entirely. Silkies develop much slower and are not sexually mature until much later. You should also make sure that your nest boxes are filled with plenty of soft nesting material. Most hens start to lay at around twenty weeks of age. Owning chickens can seem daunting at first but once youve set yourself and your chickens up for good habits, its a straightforward responsibility. The Golden Comet usually lays more eggs than the Comb and Wattle Turn a Deep Red Color Just be patient, and remember that other factors come into play, including the breed and time of year. A triumphant hen will often sing an egg song as soon as she has dropped her first egg. For added privacy and a reduced likelihood of egg breakage or eating, you can also hang curtains over the entrance of the box. Most hens will begin laying between 16-24 weeks, but others are may begin much later. In general, chickens begin laying eggs when they are six months old, although this depends on the breed. when your chicken is in the early stages of its laying days think from pullet Golden comets The golden comet can start laying eggs as young as 16 weeks. Poking around the nest box? However there is not a magic date at which point they will produce that first egg. Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new articles, and receive a FREE 20-page digital, printable garden planning toolkit. 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. Early layers include Rhode Island Red, barred Plymouth Rock and sex links such as Cinnamon Queen. Many commercial strains have been bred to start laying as early as 18 weeks. 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. Some breeds will begin laying eggs as early as 16 weeks old, while others may not lay their A sexually mature hen will also look mature there wont be any bare spots in her feathers and she will look clean and shiny. How is your hen interacting with the rest of the flock? You can get very creative in how you make your own nesting box. Worms bins are easy to maintain, divert waste from the landfill, and create black gold for your garden!