Need help with egg laying question, please...

[femalecbrown]

We have several Red Star hens that are about 4 months old. We just installed our nesting boxes in their coop. How old will they be when they start laying? Do all hen breeds start laying at about the same age? Our chicks free range during the day and return to their coop just before sunset. If they lay eggs at any time during the day, will they go back to the coop to lay or just drop them anywhere?

 

[tmpshrty96]

ive always heard it was about six months before they started laying.

 

[ging3rhoffman]

I always read on here that the EE's were the last to lay. My EE's were the first to lay at 18 weeks old. I have heard anywhere from 20 weeks on they can start to lay. You just never know. I have a hugh white rock and sivler laced wyandotte and nothing yet...the little EE's are going first. Makes ya crazy doesnt it.

 

[kcfuerst]

Every chicken is different and develops differently. I have a Black Sexlink that started laying at 16.5 weeks, or 4 months.

Wherever a hen is when she's ready to lay an egg, that's where she will lay it. If they are free ranging, it is not likely that a hen will return to the nest to lay her egg unless it is nearby.

Chickens make eggs approximately every 26-28 hours. So even the time they will lay eggs is somewhat different day to day.

It might be a good idea to keep them in their run or coop for a period of time in the mornings to get them used to laying in the nest so it becomes a habit and let them out to range a bit later.

 

[Omran]

I got 26 chicks this year in march they were 1 day old on the 4th of march and they are BR started laying 16 eeks, then Speckeled susex also 17 weeks started, today ee start laying, and I think the new hampsher red started already.
Black australop , brown leghorn, not started yet.