hello from kansas

Date sort Score sort
Cheryl bennett

Cheryl bennett

Hatching
5 Years
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Points
7
Location
Valley Center, Kansas
We just got into chickens. Don't know much about them yet. Don't know what kinds we have they were unmarked as to what kind of breeds. We have 12 hens and 1 rooster. The chickens are all different colors. I think they are about 12 weeks. Rooster is starting to crow, its so funny listening to him. The hens have not played eggs yet. We just want the eggs and maybe some more chicks. We are a large family, there is 10 of us. When will the hens start to lay?
 
Hi Cheryl!

Welcome to BYC! It's a great place for learning everything you need to know about raising chickens!

There are probably previous threads you can search to get a wide variety of answers on when they typically start to lay. In my experience, I've had some that laid as early as 18 weeks or so, but 20-24 has been more common for me. It can depend on the breed and many other factors. I've heard of some taking 8-9 months or more! I have a whole new flock this year due to a move and I can't wait for them to start laying!

Good luck with your chickens!
 
images


Welcome to BYC!

Congrats on your new flock! You can post pics of them in our What Breed section for help on IDing them...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/15/what-breed-or-gender-is-this

You might also stop by our learning center here on BYC. Lots of good articles on all the aspects of keeping poultry...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

As for when they lay, depending on the breed as each is different, most breeds lay sometime between 5 and 6 months old. When you see their combs, faces and wattles really starting to get red, and the hens are squatting for you when you lean over them or the rooster is mating them, the eggs will be coming down the pipe soon!

Enjoy your wonderful flock and welcome to ours!
 
Thank you for the reply. Guess I'll have to wait and see when they lay. I don't know what kinds of chickens they are just a lot of different colors. Also what kind of chickens are good for eating.
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! You've gotten some good advice and links above, good luck with your flock!
 
With a large family, I think you would need more layers than that. Maybe to tide you over till they start laying - you could buy a few pullets at "point of lay," so you will have eggs in a short while.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom