How old before a hen starts laying (RIR)

[vigario]

The man I got them from said they were 17 weeks old. I have had them for four weeks. They are big, but no eggs.

 

[Desert Rooster]

they start laying at about 24-30 weeks

 

[Yay Chicks!]

They may start laying soon, or it could be a number of weeks. It varies. Are their combs and faces red? When you go to touch them do they squat down? Those are good signs that they are very near to laying.

 

[Want Less]

Our RIRs from last year started right around 23 weeks.

 

[teach1rusl]

Look for the signs yay chicks mentioned...squatting when you come near, combs turing pretty bright, etc. Mine were laying by 22 weeks, but I had fully expected to wait another month, because the range is so wide.

 

[annep]

I am waiting with you hon! My RIS's are just now turning red, some of them anyway..I figure Ill really start looking around Easter...hopefully!

 

[jomoncon]

One of my RIRs started laying at 19 weeks. The others started between 20 to 23 weeks. After 40 days of laying, I'm still waiting for the eggs to get larger. So far, their still in the small to medium, range. Anything I've gotten in the large size has been a double yolker.