Difference in when Bantams start laying (vs. standards) ????

[arwmommy]

Hey everyone,
Is there a difference at what age bantams start laying vs. standards??

I am just wondering if I should start them on layer feed and put the nest boxes in at 18 weeks (as with standards) or if I should start earlier or later????

Any thoughts on this? (I swear I did the search since every newbie asks about it for their chickens

but there was nothing specific to bantams-- I swear!)

 

[Scott]

I've got bantams (cochins and brahmas), and they start laying last week at the tender age of 17 weeks. This was about a month earlier than I had expected. I started them on layer crumbles a couple weeks ago. And their nest boxes had been installed several weeks before that. I think it's safe to start them on layer food at 3-4 months of age. As far as I know, the age at which a pullet lays its first egg depends more on health and breed, than whether they are bantams or standards.