do hens lay sporadically in the beginning?

[wanderseek]

So on Wednesday, we were thrilled to find our very first TWO eggs ever! Nothing on Thursday, one on Friday, nothing Saturday or Sunday. I'm not sure if the three eggs we've gotten so far were from one hen or two (or maybe three different ones?). Most of our hens are the same age, so I'm wondering why they're not ALL laying yet. Or maybe the one/two that gave us the first three are just early bloomers? (The eggs were pretty small but otherwise perfect.) Will the laying be sporadic and on-again, off-again for a while until they mature more and get more established in their adulthood? I was hoping for and expecting about one egg per day per hen. Guess I'm expecting too much right now?

 

[gritsar]

Yes, they do lay sporadically at first. Just like humans, they are all individuals and may not all start at the same time, but once they are established layers they usually do synch with their sisters.

 

[claireree]

I am new to chickens but one of mine started laying just over a week ago and so far she only lays every few days, and all different shapes and sizes at the moment.

 

[pgpoultry]

Yes, expect large eggs, small eggs, double/no yolks, soft shells, and no eggs at all for days on end. They will settle to normal laying as they get older,

Sandie