New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

What age do chickens lay??

post #1 of 25
6/3/09 at 11:32am
Thread Starter 

My chickens are anywhere from just over 2 months to about 3 months old, when do they lay, by the end of summer maybe?

Wife / Mommy of 2 /Live out in the country/ New owner of 27 chicks! Barred rocks / Cinnamon Queens / Red sex links / Black Australorps/ Cochins.
Reply
Wife / Mommy of 2 /Live out in the country/ New owner of 27 chicks! Barred rocks / Cinnamon Queens / Red sex links / Black Australorps/ Cochins.
Reply
post #2 of 25
6/3/09 at 11:33am

some can lay as early as 6 months

"She got her daddy's tongue and temper, Sometimes her mouth could use a filter, God shook his head the day he built her, Oh, but I bet he smiled."
Reply
"She got her daddy's tongue and temper, Sometimes her mouth could use a filter, God shook his head the day he built her, Oh, but I bet he smiled."
Reply
post #3 of 25
6/3/09 at 11:38am

I have read that they begin to lay:

at 20 weeks
between 4 and 6 moths
at 26 weeks

Last year I got my first egg at 17 weeks, I believe from a leghorn.

Some breeds mature more slowly than others.  EE's may take a year.  Henderson's breed chart ranks them for maturity, though some feel this chart is not all that accurate.

Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

BYC Troubleshooting article -- click here

Reply

Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

BYC Troubleshooting article -- click here

Reply
post #4 of 25
6/3/09 at 11:39am

average ages for non-production breeds are 20-26 weeks.  production breeds average a bit earlier.  But, individual birds can start earlier.  The earliest account I have heard is 15.5 weeks from an EE.

First time chicken owner, blogging about the experience with lots of cute pics!  Updated regularly.  Please check it out and follow our progress!

http://lisahaschickens.wordpress.com
Reply
First time chicken owner, blogging about the experience with lots of cute pics!  Updated regularly.  Please check it out and follow our progress!

http://lisahaschickens.wordpress.com
Reply
post #5 of 25
6/3/09 at 11:52am
Thread Starter 

ok, good to know, thank you everyone!big_smile I cant wait for our first egg, im always running out, like now, i need eggs!

Wife / Mommy of 2 /Live out in the country/ New owner of 27 chicks! Barred rocks / Cinnamon Queens / Red sex links / Black Australorps/ Cochins.
Reply
Wife / Mommy of 2 /Live out in the country/ New owner of 27 chicks! Barred rocks / Cinnamon Queens / Red sex links / Black Australorps/ Cochins.
Reply
post #6 of 25
6/3/09 at 11:56am

Someone just posted that they got one at 15 weeks, 3 days... Well, I guess that's 15.5 weeks roll

http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=193098&p=2

--Lauren
2 dogs, 2 cats & 4 hens
Reply
--Lauren
2 dogs, 2 cats & 4 hens
Reply
post #7 of 25
6/3/09 at 12:58pm

Don't worry they will lay and it's hard to wait lol, my 3 Rhode Islands Reds are about 22 weeks old and not laid yet but am looking forward to it very much!

Toby Jarvis, UK, 6 Female Red Sex Links, 1 Male Red Sex Link
Reply
Toby Jarvis, UK, 6 Female Red Sex Links, 1 Male Red Sex Link
Reply
post #8 of 25
6/3/09 at 1:05pm

My EE's are all getting ready to lay, with a few of them already started.  They are 19 weeks today, and the first one laid on my daughter's birthday (May 25th) at 17.5 weeks. 

I'm getting up to 3 eggs a day now, with more looking close!!

I have an amazing husband, a wonderful daughter (5) and now an incredible son, born 8/27/11!
Reply
I have an amazing husband, a wonderful daughter (5) and now an incredible son, born 8/27/11!
Reply
post #9 of 25
6/3/09 at 3:49pm

my barred rock laid her first egg at 5 months. my black copper laid her first today she is 6 months. my EE didn't start laying till they were a year old. watch for the squat if they are doing the squat then they are getting ready to lay.

am now totally chickenless
Reply
am now totally chickenless
Reply
post #10 of 25
4/9/12 at 1:28pm

 hi i have 2 polish chickens and they are both about 9 months of age and i was wondering what is happening

 

Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying