egg laying

[beeksnfeet]

I am fairly new to all of this, being the mother of 2 white plymouth rocks and 3 buff orps, all 12 weeks old. My question is a simple one.....when should I expect the rocks to start laying? I find different answers everywhere, so I figure the best place to find a correct answer is to go to the experts! Can anyone give me some info? Sure would be appreciated

 

[countrygoddess]

I am expecting my chicks, who hatched in late April, to begin laying sometime in October. Probably mid- to late-October. 6 months is about average.

 

[tadkerson]

I am fairly new to all of this, being the mother of 2 white plymouth rocks and 3 buff orps, all 12 weeks old. My question is a simple one.....when should I expect the rocks to start laying? I find different answers everywhere, so I figure the best place to find a correct answer is to go to the experts! Can anyone give me some info? Sure would be appreciated

Chickens have different times when they start producing an egg. I have had white leghorns start at 4.5 months and barnevelders start at 6-7 months with all my other birds I have worked with start in between the times. As a general rule, my birds have started laying some time in the 5th month. It depends on the length of day/time of year for the birds The earlier a bird begins to lay the smaller the eggs will be that are produced by the bird. My barnevelder stated laying larger eggs than my other birds produced. This has been my experience with egg production in hens. If your birds mature in the winter months they can be stimulated to begin laying with artificial light 14-16 hours will do.

Tim

 

[beeksnfeet]

I am expecting my chicks, who hatched in late April, to begin laying sometime in October.  Probably mid- to late-October.  6 months is about average.

Thanks for the reply. I can't wait for our first eggs. Ours were hatched 4-1-13. It amazes me at how different they are all, even though 3 are the same breed and the other two are from a different breed. All were hatched the same day and the 3 buffs look as if they were weeks apart! Thanks again.