Everybody keeps asking me when my chickens will lay

[max13077]

I keep telling them, soon; Basically cause I don't know. I thought 20-22 weeks or so. They're 17 weeks now. They're RIR, BO, SLW, and JG. Any insight?

 

[Franecca]

Everyone is asking me the same thing!!! My hens are 19 weeks old. I hope they start laying before school starts back in August!!!!!!!

 

[redoak]

I've read on other threads 18 to 26 weeks they should start laying.

 

[cmom]

They can start laying in about 17 weeks. Some may take longer around 24 weeks and some maybe even a little longer. One of mine was 27 weeks.

 

[mcfarlandteresa]

Mine are close to 6 months old now and not one egg yet. I go out every morning in hopes of finding at least 1 but no luck yet!

Hopefully soon though!

 

[cmom]

There is still hope. You are at about 24 weeks. A friend of mine had one that started after mine and we got them at the same time, so one of hers must have been around 30 weeks. It was almost a month after my last one started laying. Are their combs and wattles pretty well developed and red yet? That is a pretty good indication when they may be getting ready to start.

 

[mcfarlandteresa]

No the wattles and combs aren't fully developed yet. Some have an off pink color to them and others have an almost red color. So I just need to keep checking them and when they are red I'm getting close huh?

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Why don't you start an egg-lay betting chart and make a little money off it if they're so anxious and interested? Whoever guesses the closest date will get half the pot, and you get the other half, just for the aggravation of having to answer all those stupid questions.

The official answer for your chickens is: they'll lay when they're darn good and ready to lay!

 

[mcfarlandteresa]

That's what I was thinking! When they are ready to start dropping eggs then I'll get them. But man I have waited so long to finally get the DH to agree to chickens. I finally just went and bought some now I'm anxious I guess. My dad always said all good things take time.

 

[warren]

My little Goldline has laid her first egg today. She is about 21 weeks old. I noticed her squatting a week ago.
I also have a Black Rock of about the same age which shows no signs that she is ready yet. Her comb is tiny.
Hope yours will begin soon. Try to be patient. It is worth waiting for. It is not good for them to lay too early.