Silkies don't start laying until they're around 7-8 months old, so you can imagine me not wanting to wait. 
They aren't put in breeding pens until they're laying eggs. I have to give it at least two weeks for the eggs to start coming fertilized. I know the size their eggs should be, and if they're smaller ones to start, I don't set those. It's usually only a few days until they're up to speed. I have heard it's not good to hatch their eggs until they're over a year old, but I've not seen any issues other than a lower hatch rate. I don't mind that.
They aren't put in breeding pens until they're laying eggs. I have to give it at least two weeks for the eggs to start coming fertilized. I know the size their eggs should be, and if they're smaller ones to start, I don't set those. It's usually only a few days until they're up to speed. I have heard it's not good to hatch their eggs until they're over a year old, but I've not seen any issues other than a lower hatch rate. I don't mind that.
