How long before they lay eggs?

[SummerSaige]

It depends on the breed of chicken you are planning to get. Rhode Island Reds typically lay around 6 months.

 

[Bakequery]

My Easter Egger is my least productive chicken and her eggs have gotten smaller for some reason. The Barred Plymouth Rocks are the best layers and produce the largest eggs. The Speckled Sussex are laying very small eggs with very thick membranes. Their eggs used to be much bigger. I wonder if it is the summer heat but if so, why isn't it affected the Rocks?

 

[traceyj]

Basically they will lay when they are ready, good indicators are a suddenly reddened comb/wattles, and if they squat when you come by it means they are gearing up, it's normally a week or two from then that eggs start appearing - as if by magic