Hate to ask, but...

[secuono]

When do chickens start to lay?

I thought I knew the answer, but not sure and I can't seem to find the same answer when I search.

If they are raised in the fall/winter, do they lay sooner?
What if they are raised in the spring/summer?

They are mostly Bantam, if that means anything. Japs, Cochins, Silkies. Welsumers are the only big chicks I have. They are 3weeks from hatching[lol] to about 9weeks old.

 

[justtoni44]

Hi,
Not an expert here...........
My experience is that it depends on the breed....

I've had some lay at 19 weeks................some much later...................
Someone else may have better information...
Good Luck

 

[FiveHens]

I think around 5 months.
Some of the production breeds lay sooner, some other breeds later. Remember, if their time comes during the winter, when they do not have sufficient daylight hours (if you don't light their coop) they'll hold off until spring. I don't think it makes a difference what season they're born in, except for the day-length issue.

 

[NewHen]

Depends on the breed. My Golden Comet started laying at 4 months and my Light Brahma, now 8 months, just laid her first pullet egg this past week. Laying also depends on the season and how much light they have.

 

[Ibicella]

It depends on the breed. Egg production layers like comets, stars, and leghorns start up around 4-5 months. Larger, heavier breeds like Jersey Giants or Brahmas and ornamental breeds that don't lay much can take up to 8 months.

5-6 months is on average. Standard or bantam doesn't make much difference.

If they were raised through the fall/winter months, you can expect eggs in the spring/summer, and vice versa. Though if they start production in fall/winter, you probably won't get as many because season and light availability effects egg production. You also won't get as many or any if they are molting.