17 week old white rocks found a small egg in my coop?

[grnmustang95]

Hi every body im a first timer with 5 white rock hens and yesterday i found a small egg in the coop now i thought i had to wait 24 weeks till they lay there only 17 weeks old thou it was a small brown egg and i rember some one told me about the hens glans and (wow feel like a dummy red thing on there head) gets bright red there ready to lay and one of my hens has big and red glands and comb but she is the smallest hen will i see more small eggs or no or any more ty

 

[QueenMisha]

20-24 weeks is the typical age for a first egg. However, some very good hens can lay as early as 17-18 (breed those girls, they have good genes for sure!). Rarely, 16 weeks is even reported. Similarly, some birds can be up to 28 weeks old before they begin to lay.

 

[drumstick diva]

First eggs are usually small - as the pullet/hen is working the kinks out of her egg laying machinery. She should be getting "layer feed," with a container holding some crushed oyster shell, that she can take freely if she needs more calcium, for shell production etc. Egg size will eventually get up to normal as laying continues.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

20-24 weeks is the typical age for a first egg. However, some very good hens can lay as early as 17-18 (breed those girls, they have good genes for sure!). Rarely, 16 weeks is even reported. Similarly, some birds can be up to 28 weeks old before they begin to lay.

X 2 - sounds like you have an early bloomer in your midst. New layers can be rather unpredictable and sporadic so you may see another egg or two, then no eggs, then a few eggs, then more - or she may fall right into a nice laying pattern. Given that she is the first of your flock to lay and you have other birds not yet showing signs of being ready, I would not switch to layer feed at this time- continue feeding whatever grower ration you are currently feeding and simply offer some oyster shell in a separate dish for this bird, and the next to begin laying, to take as they want.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Congratulations on that first egg