- Feb 23, 2009
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What is the earliest age that they can lay? Does it depend on the breed? I have 14 twelve week olds. I have a BO, SLW, EE's, RIR's, black aussies and a white rock. Who might lay first and at what age?
How soon can a chicken lay an egg?
- Thread starter ging3rhoffman
- Start date
It really depends, and you really don't want them to lay TOO early, as it can cause laying problems later (such as egg bound or internal laying). 18 weeks is the very youngest they should lay, I prefer mine to start later, and I put mine on a different feed from 12 weeks on, until the first from that hatch lays, then I put them on layer feed.
My guess would be your RIR or EE will lay first! Enjoy your girls!
My guess would be your RIR or EE will lay first! Enjoy your girls!
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- Feb 23, 2009
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What different feed do you put them on until the layer? Right now mine are still on the chick starter and they also get bird seed each day and different kinds of snacks, like toast, raisins,hard boiled egg, noodles, oatmeal cooked and uncooked. Sometimes a flake of really good alfalfa hay.
Do you give oyster shell before laying age or after?
Do you give oyster shell before laying age or after?
NO - no oyster shell. Too much calcium as they're growing causes issues. No need for that until they begin to lay.
I feed Buckeye Pullet Developer (I think that's what it's called). It's specifically formulated to delay sexual maturity, so the laying equipment has a chance to get caught up to the body, so to speak. I feed that from 12 weeks on. I've also switched them to Purina's Flock Raiser at 12 weeks, until they lay. That works for me, but you of course need ot have a goood sense of what YOU want to do.
I feed Buckeye Pullet Developer (I think that's what it's called). It's specifically formulated to delay sexual maturity, so the laying equipment has a chance to get caught up to the body, so to speak. I feed that from 12 weeks on. I've also switched them to Purina's Flock Raiser at 12 weeks, until they lay. That works for me, but you of course need ot have a goood sense of what YOU want to do.
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- Feb 23, 2009
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Thanks. My main concern is healthy happy hens.
Thanks to both of you. That was going to be my next question since I just got my chicks a few weeks ago.
ging3r - I'm SO happy to hear this! It's frustrating as all get-out waiting for them to begin laying. But, if you exercise patience, you'll be much more apt to not have any issues later on! BEST of luck with your girls!
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