how long after hatching to laying?

[ChooksinIowa]

Hi All,

I'm a chicken newbie so forgive me if this is asked all the time but I didn't find it in the FAQs. I got 2 hens plus their chicks from a friend's farm a couple of weeks ago. The chicks are separated from the moms and are in my house in a rabbit cage (big one). The moms are outside with my one other pullet in an Eglu (www.omlet.us).

I am getting about 1 egg every 2 to 3 days. I think they are all coming from the pullet. Can anyone tell me roughly how long after having hatched the other eggs that it takes for the hens to lay again? I think the babies are between 3 and 6 weeks old. They came from a fairly unstructured farm situation so nobody really knows their age.

Thanks for any help,
Claire

 

[bigzio]

Usually around 6 to 8 weeks, when mom chases the babys away from the nesting area.

bigzio

 

[ChooksinIowa]

OK, thank you! So the babies were removed from the mothers at about 2 weeks of age and I am keeping them indoors, separated from the mother. So does that mean she would still take 6 to 8 weeks or would it be sooner? (because the babies are not with her).
Thanks!