Chickens

[Cydneybirdlova8]

How old does a chicken hen have to be to start laying eggs??? I have 2 hens and a rooster and they are around 4-5 months old(brother and sisters) and the rooster is trying to mount my hens already??? But no eggs?? I won't incubate the eggs, just eat them. I wouldn't want babies from 2nd generation chicks. Thanks

 

[ChickenCanoe]

20 weeks is standard but depending on breed and time of year it can be from 16 weeks to almost a year.
Rooster sometimes mount at quite a young age. If he's really aggressive you may need more hens. 1:10 ratio is best.
Don't feed layer feed. Your rooster doesn't need it. Keep them on a grower or better yet a finisher feed and provide oyster shell on the side once laying commences.