how old should Rhode Island Reds start laying

[bigredrooster]

I bought 5 RIR hens and a RIR rooster today.They are 11 weeks old this week.What age should they start laying?

 

[alaskanhenhouse]

in my experience between 5-6 months old.

 

[kstaven]

Are they the lighter colored production strain or the heritage breed? The former will begin to lay at 18 - 20 weeks. The later is likely to be 24 - 30 weeks.

 

[bigredrooster]

Not really sure looks like the lighter ones.

 

[hdchic]

I bought some RIR hens that were 17 months old...within 3 weeks of the move they were laying. Slowly at first, but out of 8 hens, I get 8 eggs every morning now. But I am NO expert!

 

[speckledhen]

My hatchery RIRs started laying at 19 weeks. My breeder quality RIR pullet, Scarlett, began laying about 21-22 weeks old, if I remember correctly.