Hi
Some of our hens started laying eggs at 18 weeks, some a few weeks later and probably all of them by 24 weeks. We have Buff Orps, Astralorps, Golden and Silver Wyandotes. We saw some of our hens that appreared to be more mature with larger combs, were probably the first to lay and as the others matured, they followed. We have 15 hens and the most eggs we have gotten was 14 in a day, but we usually average 11-12 a day. We live in central Coastal California. The days are now in the mid to high 60's and the nights in the low 30's. We have been feeding 18% pelleted food while they are molting, but probably will switch back to 16% when they get their feathers. If your hens are on a growing ration, you may want to switch to a hen laying food. Ours really started to produce once we did. Good luck.
Some of our hens started laying eggs at 18 weeks, some a few weeks later and probably all of them by 24 weeks. We have Buff Orps, Astralorps, Golden and Silver Wyandotes. We saw some of our hens that appreared to be more mature with larger combs, were probably the first to lay and as the others matured, they followed. We have 15 hens and the most eggs we have gotten was 14 in a day, but we usually average 11-12 a day. We live in central Coastal California. The days are now in the mid to high 60's and the nights in the low 30's. We have been feeding 18% pelleted food while they are molting, but probably will switch back to 16% when they get their feathers. If your hens are on a growing ration, you may want to switch to a hen laying food. Ours really started to produce once we did. Good luck.