How soon after Roo and Hen make their 'connection' do I see eggs?

[Mohawk Chickens]

I witnessed the 'act' today while allowing my flock to roam the yard. How soon afterward do I start to look for the eggs? My flock is approximately 17 - 18 weeks old. I bought them Apr 13 and they were about 1 week to 2 weeks old. Any suggestions or observations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kevin565]

What breeds and where are you located?

 

[americanvalkyrie]

Chickens doing the "act" really has no relation to what time you'll see eggs. Pullets start to lay at 16-25 weeks or so, depending on the breed, regardless of whether or not there is a rooster. So, depending on your breeds, you should see them anytime between now and, well... October or so.

 

[FeatheredFreind]

Even though mating has nothing to do with when they'll lay, I also bought mine april 13th and i have two laying. The two that are laying are also the ones that i seen the rooster mating with. My first egg came 2-3 days after i seen the rooster interested. I bet the roosters know when the hens are ready.

 

[Mohawk Chickens]

I live in upstate NY right on the Canada border. I have what I think are New Hampshire reds. When i bought them they were labelled Red pullets. Is that a breed? My Roo certainly looks like the pic posted in the breeds section but my girls are a deeper red than the ones shown. Thanks for the info. I have to start preparing a better chickie-mansion.

 

[FeatheredFreind]

I've heard of red sex link; i think that is when at least 2 different reds mixed. They say they are good egg producers. I have rhode island reds. I also have red sex links and golden comets which is what they were labled as when i bought them. But they are the same. I understand that they have like 6 different names. Any white on your birds? Post your manison progress pictures.

 

[Mohawk Chickens]

This is the box under construction and then installed. The girls like the top nesters and just play in the bottom one.


Not a very good picture, but you can see them inspecting the handiwork. At least this coop will last some harsh winds. We up-cycled a section of patio that was cut off our house and used the spindles from the railing that was taken down to make the roosting sticks? I forget what they are called...LOL. For now I am using wood chips and they seem to like it. We have gotten 12 eggs from them in about a week and a half. I have one silkie, who I think is a rooster and the rest are 'red pullets' which grew a rooster. No problems with two so far, fingers crossed. I think I have either rhode island reds or new hampshire reds. or a cross between both.

 

[FeatheredFreind]

So how soon after you saw the 'act' did you get your first egg?

 

[harveyhorses]

So how soon after you saw the 'act' did you get your first egg?

The 'act' has nothing to do with when they lay. If they are that young it could be quite some time, or it could be today.
Maybe I am not reading your question right. One of mine started when she was right at 18 wks, and one of her sisters waited
till about 22 wks.

 

[NickyPick]

I always figured the "act" does predict egg laying a bit. Not so much that the pullet needs sex to lay, but that the rooster knows that this pullet has reached sexual maturity. My cockerel, Blackberry, is mating with the two light brahma pullets in his pen, but hasn't even looked at the two buffs. The two lights have just recently started laying, too.