I have read everything from 4mo's to 9mo's when a chick lays it's

[007Dawn]

first egg. So I'm curiouse does this have anything to do with breed?

OR Does it just vary that much?

Thank you!

 

[gritsar]

The age when a hen first lays is somewhat dependent on the breed and somewhat on the individual hen. I have 14 hens all the same breed. The first hen to lay was barely 5 months old. Two of the others didn't start laying until they were 9 1/2 months old.

 

[misty7850]

I only have a small flock, but my baby Black Astralops I hatched last year, started laying about 6 months.
My Buff Orpington, she didn't start till about 7-8 months.
and my silkie was about 9 months.

 

[Marlinchaser]

I started with pullet pack over 2 years agl, hatchery choice, so I ended up with 5 different breeds, the leghorns started around 17 week, the Australops didnt start till almost 7 months.. I still have one that doesnt give me an egg. AND if he crows one more time hes going into a stew pot.

 

[RendonRoo]

That's funny. If he is crowing he won't be laying. LOL Weather can have something to do with laying also. If they don't start before winter sets in you may have to wait till spring to get eggs. Good Luck

 

[mschickychick]

I found some information in a genetics book I am reading that indicates it has some to do with when the chick was hatched. I posted it to this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=140464

Thanks,

Debbie

 

[007Dawn]

Thank you! and very funny about the pot!!!

 

[ArizonaDesertChicks]

Besides the breed & individual hen, I think it also has to do with the time of year it is when the pullets reach maturity.

My barred rocks, leghorns, production red and easter eggers are all the same age and all but one started laying within 2 weeks of each other (22-24 weeks of age). They were born last fall. My black stars started laying at 18 weeks of age - they were born later than the others and by the time they reached maturity, the days were longer than they were when the first group reached laying age.

 

[ChooksChick]

My Barred Rocks were hatched at the beginning of June last year and all were laying by 18 weeks. I can't say about other breeds, but I'm certain all of mine were laying within 2 weeks of one another, as I got 6 in one day by the time they were all 18 weeks.

It was late October or first week of November, I think, so the days were starting to get shorter, but the weather was still warm and wonderful.

I have read 6 months as the average time more often than any other, so I'll expect to see my new birds start laying around then.

 

[Ravenseye]

I have a Barred Rock that started laying at 5 months. Another hen, a RIR that was hatched in October hasn't laid an egg yet.