How much longer before I get some eggs?

[krodgers]

I have 10 hens. One of them laid her first egg Saturday. I have noticed that some of my girls are being mounted by Roos. Some still reject them. I have read that they do not let the rooster have his way with her until she is sexually mature. Does this mean that she will start laying soon? How soon do hens start laying after she willingly lets a rooster breed with her? That is something I've not come across. Any insight or experience would be greatly appreciated!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Generally up to a month before they start laying, hens will start to squat willingly for the rooster. The rooster may take liberties without the hen being willing, especially when the rooster is young.

I find pullets to become very talkative, and friendly just before the point of lay.

 

[krodgers]

Generally up to a month before they start laying, hens will start to squat willingly for the rooster. The rooster may take liberties without the hen being willing, especially when the rooster is young.

I find pullets to become very talkative, and friendly just before the point of lay.

Thank you. I was noticing their combs as well. My gen who started laying, her comb turned bright red a free weeks ago. The others have just now turned bright red. So that would go right along with what you are saying also. I'll just keep watching and see how things are going. I've noticed the roosters would try even if they tried to get away. The majority of them now squat willingly and one still runs away. Hopefully it won't be too much longer before they all start. Hopefully they will watch her and see what she does and want to lay too. (You know, like how the kids do )

 

[aart]

If your 'rooster' is a good, mature, adult cockbird mounting a pullet is a pretty sure sign that laying will happen soon, tho it still maybe a few weeks away.
If it's a young cockerel....all bets are off...haha!

 

[krodgers]

If your 'rooster' is a good, mature, adult cockbird mounting a pullet is a pretty sure sign that laying will happen soon, tho it still maybe a few weeks away.
If it's a young cockerel....all bets are off...haha!

They are all the same age. Some were hatched 22 weeks ago and some were hatched 20 weeks ago. But all of the ones in that pen together are all ones that I hatched so I can say for certain how old they are. Actually the 2 roosters were in the 22 week batch now that I think about it. Would they most likely be "adult" by now?

 

[aart]

Would they most likely be "adult" by now?

No, not adult until one year old.
22 weeks is still pretty darn young, some cockerels show good (or bad) behavior at that age but much can change in the coming months. Having multiple males can increase all their bad behaviors due to the competition factor. I'd think hard about whether you want more than one(if any) males in your flock, depends on your goals and housing.

Gender terminology
FYI.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks is also a good thing to note.