I got my first chicks the first week of August(after lots and lots of research) and they stayed in my bathtub until they were about 10 weeks old. Every week after I moved them outside my father in law would ask me if they are laying yet. I kept explaining that they were too young still and it would be at least December and possible spring. I tried to explain the number of hours of light in the day and how that effects egg laying, ect. He wouldn't hear it. He said "they won't lay without laying mash. You feed them laying mash and they will start" Urgh
I gave up trying to explain. I put them on the layer pellets at 19 weeks and after that when he asked I replied "guess they didn't get that memo" lol
btw, my first(a barred rock) started laying at 21 weeks but I'm still patiently waiting on the other 8.
Love some of the posts on this thread