Sorry about doulbe posting but HI ALL!!! Well, when do MOST chickens start to lay eggs? They are about 4 1/4 -5 months old. What will the need to lay?
Generally it depends on the breed or how big they are going to be. Small breed hens may start to lay around 5 months, and the largest hens may not lay til 8 or so months. I've had hens start as late as 7 1/2 months (Buff Orpingtons) Kinda makes sense that larger birds take longer to mature... And since we have started into fall, things are a bit more unpredictable. So it also depends on where you live and what the weather is like. I live in a mild northern california climate and my hens are laying like crazy.
I thought I read here the exact opposite information - that bantys can take much longer to start laying than standards?
Quote:Someone needs to tell my gang this! They've been giving me eggs since 19 and a half weeks and I suspect one of our Mottled Cochin ladies has decided to go broody on us right at 23 weeks old as of today! She's been on the nest since yesteday morning! Dawn