Hen Wonders: How old do Hens have to be to lay Eggs? - Page 2

There's always a chance ;)  Do you have a current picture of her?  If so - you can post it and we can help you decide how close she is to laying.

Are you sure she is a she?  At 16 weeks none of my various pullets had large red combs and wattles like that.  And at 16 weeks old that's how my Lavender Orpington rooster looks - he just started crowing the other day.  It's hard to tell from such a far away photo, but the tail feathers look droppy and hackle feathers seem pointy. 

But if she is definitely a she, and with that large a comb and red wattles at 16 weeks - she should be laying by now at 18 weeks old.  So any day now would be my guess.  However - depending on how much sunlight you are getting where she is - it may take longer for her to start.

Hope you get your answer soon :)

All of my BO and BR, except one, had their red combs at 16 weeks, some had wattles.  They started laying at 24 weeks.  If it makes a difference, day 1 =July 18, 16 weeks = Nov 18, First egg = Jan 03.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicks & Chickens 

The new owner said that she would be surprised if she was a Hen by now... I still thought it was possible, but I guess, judging by those comments, that it could be a rooster. Thanks for the advice :) There is a lot of sun, actually.

Hey, I wouldn't give up on her just yet - 18 weeks is still pretty young to lay.  If he/she hasn't laid by 22 or 24 weeks - then I would be alot more suspicious she was a he - but another thread had a White Leghorn that was 33 weeks old when she laid her 1st egg - so anything is possible.  Their combs can be big and almost red for a very very very long time before they actually finally lay.  I know - I have an Ancona that is 26 weeks old and she is definitely a she - but she hasn't laid yet.  Her comb is huge and floppy, but not red enough yet to show she's ready to lay.

So hang in there!  As long as she/he hasn't crowed - there's still a chance for some eggs

I have some good news!!!  My 15 week and 2 days old white leghorns have already started laying!!! what a surprise it was to see those beautiful white gold nuggets in the nest box. now i'm getting anxious for the rest  of my girls to start. i also have 3 barred plymouth rocks ones a rooster, 2 rhode island reds which are super friendly and follow me around everywhere i go, 2 americanas and 1 buff orpington.

Bye