Eggs?

[Jared Vera]

When should I expect my chickens to start laying eggs? I know they still have a ways to go, but I am wondering at what age do they start laying eggs, and if so, how many eggs would they lay? My two oldest chicks are 1.5months now, while the rest are 4 weeks

 

[Parront]

A lot depends on the breed your chicks are. Most are laying by 6 months old. Some can begin laying as young as 16 weeks, like Leghorns or sex-links bred for high egg production. Your chicks will reach egg laying age in the fall, so you might like to plan ahead and start lighting your coop when they are about 16 weeks old, so that they have at least 14 hours of light each day. Otherwise, you might get a few eggs and then they stop laying and molt to grow new feathers for the winter.

 

[GC-Raptor]

When should I expect my chickens to start laying eggs?

Some can start laying around 4 months old.
5 months is common. Some take 6 months or longer.
My Red sex-links started at 16.5 weeks, all 5 were laying by 19 weeks.
My Barred Rocks started at 20 weeks, all 7 were laying by 23 weeks.
I've never had Easter Eggers, but from the many posts I've read, 6 months is common for them to start laying.

So it depends on breed or type of hybrid "sex-links early" "Easter Eggers later".
Start of production can vary from hatchery to hatchery for the same breed-type.
Also the time of year of hatching. GC

 

[aart]

Average onset of lay for most breeds is 18-28 weeks.
Some start earlier, some later.
Diet and time of year can have an effect.

Your chicks will reach egg laying age in the fall, so you might like to plan ahead and start lighting your coop when they are about 16 weeks old, so that they have at least 14 hours of light each day. Otherwise, you might get a few eggs and then they stop laying and molt to grow new feathers for the winter.

Most first year pullets do not need supplemental lighting,
nor will they molt their first fall winter.