First egg at 16 weeks. Is that unusual?

[rhschulz2000]

I was surprised to find a small but perfectly formed egg on my coop floor yesterday. None of the nine 16 week old Plymouth Rock hens have come forward to claim ownership, but wondered how unusual this is, since I understood that it is usually 20-24 weeks before they start laying.

 

[lynnR]

Not sure about how usual it is but my Ixworth pulletts all started to lay aroung 18-19 weeks old exept one who decided to lay on my couch at 14.5 weeks old and she layed steadily there after.

 

[Lots A Cluckin]

I would say it is common especially is they are from a hatchery were they are breed to produce eggs...one of my red sex-links laid her first egg when she was 16 weeks and 1 day and my other red sex-link laid her first one 2 days later...so I think it is very common for egg producers to lay earlier than "normal"

 

[CGinJCMO]

I was surprised to find a small but perfectly formed egg on my coop floor yesterday. None of the nine 16 week old Plymouth Rock hens have come forward to claim ownership, but wondered how unusual this is, since I understood that it is usually 20-24 weeks before they start laying.

Does one of your girls have redder comb/eye area? My BRs aren't nearly ready (they are about 3 weeks younger than my 2 reds and a week and half younger than my 4 sex-link). I have 2 reds that are the same age, but one of which has a redder comb than the other and I expect her to start laying in the next week or so and before the other red.

If you see one (or more) with redder combs, then you've narrowed your suspect list. LOL

Good luck figuring out who's laying the eggs already.

CG