Should they be laying??

[MotherHen2017]

I have a mixed flock of hens. They're getting older, so yesterday I brought home 8 red bovans who are 20 weeks old. They're not really integrating very well yet, but when I checked on them a few minutes ago I found a small egg on the floor next to where they're clumped together. (They've basically been hiding in a corner. ) Should they actually be laying yet? Their legs are all still very yellow, though there are a couple of them whose combs are bigger and brighter red than the others.

 

[junebuggena]

It's possible that a few have already reached maturity. But don't expect a lot of eggs for at least another month. Moving to a new home and integrating into an existing flock is stressful. Stressed hens don't lay.

 

[MotherHen2017]

That's exactly what I thought. Which is why I was so surprised to find this little egg.

I'm expecting my regular hens to slow down laying for a few days too . They're not happy with me for bringing in the new girls. Lol

 

[aart]

though there are a couple of them whose combs are bigger and brighter red than the others.

If you really want to know....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Kat C]

"Until female chickens are one year of age they are called pullets. Pullets typically begin to lay eggs as early as twenty weeks of age. However, you might happen to notice that the larger breeds tend to begin laying eggs closer to six months of age.

When a pullet begins to lay her first eggs they will be small. You will notice that with each progressive egg laid, they gradually increase in size. Finally, after a few months of regular egg laying, the pullet's eggs will reach their full size. "
http://info.mannapro.com/homestead/egg-laying-and-optimizing-production-in-backyard-chickens

Usually ours start at 5 or 6 months but some earlier and some later.