How long for first eggs after amorous rooster?

[CrazyForCochins927]

I finally caught my rooster, Dexter, makin' it with the ladies!

I am not sure how long this has been going on, because he tends to keep his eye on me when I am in there and not interact with the other ladies. He lets me pick him up, so I think he may be with them a little more often, just not with me around. So I was just curious, how long after a rooster starts to be with his hens will they start laying eggs? I have standard cochins that are about 20 weeks old, so right around the time I hope to be getting eggs.

Thanks!!!

 

[lvchicken]

The rooster doesn't cause the pullets/hens to lay eggs; it depends on their breed when they start to lay. Usually when a rooster is developed enough to mate, the pullets will be old enough to lay eggs. What kind of ladies do you have?

 

[CrazyForCochins927]

My ladies are also standard cochins. Sorry, I failed to mention that they were all from the same batch of chicks, so the hens and rooster are all the same age. I do know that just mounting them wouldn't cause them to lay, but I figured that they might be reaching maturity at the same time.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

When the girls start squatting for you, my experience is that one to two weeks later, they start to lay. I have seen roos mount girls that don't lay for QUITE a while.

 

[sourland]

If those are the pullets in your picture and it is a recent picture, they are not ready to lay. When their combs and wattles enlarge and gain color they will be ready to lay.

 

[CrazyForCochins927]

Does anyone know about how long it takes for standard cochins to start laying?

 

[Sorin]

Most birds start laying at around 5 to 6 months old. I see yours are about 5 months right? Given that it is winter time and that Cochins aren't the best layers you may have to wait a couple of months yet

My bantam Cochin was 7 months in December when she finally laid her first egg and I have only gotten 4 from her since. Hopefully yours do a little better!

 

[ScotianChick]

My guy didn't start giving the chickens nookie until they started laying eggs haha! One girl still doesn't lay eggs and she won't let him on her at all.