Hen Laying Age

[ChickenFarmer03]

HI! At about what age do hens lay their first egg? I know this question probably gets asked a lot, and I have been searching for a specific answer and have not found one. I am pretty new to chicken owning. I have 2 Delawares, 2 Silver Laced Wyandottes, 2 Black Jersey Giants, 2 Cuckoo Marans, and 1 Buff Laced Polish. They are all 17 weeks old. Thank you for the help! ~ChickenFarmer03

 

[QueenMisha]

20-26 is the average, but they can lay as early as 16 or as late as 28. (Sometimes later). Yours are all breeds that typically fit into the average category. You will know they are going to lay soon when their combs begin to redden.

 

[wsmith77]

I've had very good luck with cuckoo marans. Mine started to lay around 18 weeks and have been machines!

 

[ChickenFarmer03]

Thank you so much! At least 6 of my 9 have red combs, and waddles. They seem to squat when I reach down to pet them. Is that another sign?

 

[QueenMisha]

Thank you so much! At least 6 of my 9 have red combs, and waddles. They seem to squat when I reach down to pet them. Is that another sign?

Yes, they're squatting down because they think you are a rooster trying to mount them. That is another sign of maturity.