This my first time raising chicks to beautiful hens and I was wondering when is the earliest that the hens will start laying eggs? Also, if they are in the run will they go up in the roost to lay or will they lay before coming down in the morning?
Hello from SD
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- Dec 22, 2009
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I have 2 buff orpingtons, 1 plymouth rock, 1 barred rock, 1 rir. They are 16 weeks this past sunday
Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan 
Generally most hens will start laying between 18 and 24 weeks, some a little sooner, some later. Did you mean to say nest boxes instead of roosts?
Generally most hens will start laying between 18 and 24 weeks, some a little sooner, some later. Did you mean to say nest boxes instead of roosts?
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yes, I meant the nest box. Also, will the hens lay at the same time.
Hi and 
from Ohio. So glad to have you aboard. I have some hens that will lay at 7am and others that wait until 3-4 in the afternoon. 
from Ohio. So glad to have you aboard. I have some hens that will lay at 7am and others that wait until 3-4 in the afternoon. 
I was told a simple way to remember it - if born in April they will lay in September. My Bantam Cochins are alway right on schedule.
My girls all lay at different times of the day, and not alway in their boxes. If I have an opened bag of shavings anywhere around they will fight one another to get in the bag first...have no idea what that's about. And if they do lay at the same time - 2 of mine have a favorite nesting box of the five they can choose from - they both cram into the same one and lay together. Those two ended up going broody at the same time, still in the same box, and sat for the entire 3 weeks on top of one another till the chicks hatched. They hated each other before this but they are best friends now!
My girls all lay at different times of the day, and not alway in their boxes. If I have an opened bag of shavings anywhere around they will fight one another to get in the bag first...have no idea what that's about. And if they do lay at the same time - 2 of mine have a favorite nesting box of the five they can choose from - they both cram into the same one and lay together. Those two ended up going broody at the same time, still in the same box, and sat for the entire 3 weeks on top of one another till the chicks hatched. They hated each other before this but they are best friends now!
- Aug 26, 2011
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Hi and
Most chickens start laying after about 18-20 weeks, but it can be anywhere between 16 and 30 weeks. You have pretty average breeds for egg laying age, I think. You should be getting eggs soon.
My hens have always woken up before laying time, so they go back into the coop to lay. If they know where the nest boxes are, they'll make their way in there when they need!
They don't usually lay at the same time, but provide a couple of nest boxes extra just in case. Most times hens will lay at different times but use the same box.
I hope you find all the info you need here, and enjoy the site.
Most chickens start laying after about 18-20 weeks, but it can be anywhere between 16 and 30 weeks. You have pretty average breeds for egg laying age, I think. You should be getting eggs soon.
My hens have always woken up before laying time, so they go back into the coop to lay. If they know where the nest boxes are, they'll make their way in there when they need!
They don't usually lay at the same time, but provide a couple of nest boxes extra just in case. Most times hens will lay at different times but use the same box.
I hope you find all the info you need here, and enjoy the site.
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