Hello from Northern Indiana!

[LadySteph00]

HELLO! I'm all new to the chicken thing...my husband is more familiar with them than me, we moved here 6 months ago and have tons of room here in the country. We bought 41 chickens back in March, wow was that overwhelming!! We lost a few chicks right away, and a few more later on...those ones were cornish rock....never had any problems with any of my red or black Astralorp hens. They are now 16 weeks just wondering on when will they start laying and what are dome signs they are ready?

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Good luck with your flock! With a big flock of laying breeds I would be expecting that first egg in the next couple of weeks and most of the birds laying 22-26 weeks. Their combs and wattles should start getting bigger and turning bright pink/red, and if they are tame they may start "squatting" for you (like you were a rooster), kind of crouching on the ground when you come up to them. You could post some pictures if you want and people could give you an idea if it looks like the girls are getting close.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC!

Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

X2 on what Kelsie2290 said. Signs of a pullet close to the laying stage are comb and wattle redding, singing, hanging out around and in the nests and performing the egg squat. Pullet usually start laying anywhere from 4-7 months.

Here are few links to explore also.

http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2013/11/understanding-chicken-behavior.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/02/when-will-hen-begin-laying-eggs-what-to.html
http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyar...there-signs-that-a-hen-may-be-laying-H93.aspx
http://www.nutrenaworld.com/knowledge-center/poultry/when-pullets-start-to-lay-eggs/
http://ohlardy.com/a-practical-guide-to-keeping-chickens-chicken-care

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to the flock

 

[roostersandhens]

 

[gander007]

Really depends on the diet but like Kelsie2290 wrote 22-26 weeks is correct ....

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

Yes, when they start squatting, really red large combs and red faces, the eggs are in the pipes! You can then go to the feed store and get some layer feed and oystershell.

Enjoy your new flock and welcome to ours!

 

[LadySteph00]

I got my first egg today!! Thank you everyone who mentioned it could be any day, you were right on the money. I'm uploading pics of my flock and the egg.

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[LadySteph00]

 

[LadySteph00]