What age can I expect my Barred Rock, Leghorn and RIR to start laying?

[Tiwanda]

They are 15-17 Weeks old........When can I expect them to start laying? Any signs they are getting ready I should know about? (First time backyard chicken lady here!) I have 1 Barred Rock, 2 ISA Browns and 2 White Leghorns......Thanks!

 

[wamtazlady]

Because the days are getting shorter I wouldn't expect them to lay until Feb or March. My last chicks hatched mid Aug. They began laying late Feb and March. To lay well a chicken really needs 14 hours of daylight.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

The comb turning red can be a sign. Barred Rocks are slower to mature. 5-6 months is the average age hens start to lay. I have heard Barred Rocks start to lay at 9 months.

 

[JeanR]

Spring hatched chicks may start laying at 4-5 months, depending upon the breed. When you have different breeds, they may start at different ages, the Leghorn probably will be first? Yours are midseason hatch, so hard to say. Those early hatch birds usually will lay all winter, even with the shorter days and will lay all winter. Yours may surprise you and lay this late fall, but as mentioned, may not start until after the first of the year,when days start to get longer. Combs will become redder and when you hear a voice change (like to call it Singing) time to put up nest boxes, and they may start investigating them. However,sometimes the do not realize that egg is coming and will lay the first eggs on the floor of the coop. Be patient, enjoy their maturing--the excitement of that first egg will not be long in coming!!

 

[Tiwanda]

View attachment 1188728 View attachment 1188727 Thanks! I moved them to their 'forever home' today. So exciting! The new coop is like a chicken play land for them! Counting on the theory that happy chickens will lay a lot of eggs!

 

[Tiwanda]

 

[venymae]

6 months is average age for the first egg. Here are things you should look for:

1. Comb turns from pink to bright red
2. Their vents will go from tight and dry, to loose and moist
3. They will sometimes start squatting when you come to pet them

 

[Tiwanda]

Sorry about the multiple pics.....Im still new at this!