What age do chickens lay??

[swynne]

My Americana (or EE?) just started laying last week at 10.5 months. No kidding.

 

[KaterCheek]

Most of mine lay at 4-6 months, but they don't lay at all in the summer, so if their maturity time hits the hot months, it will get delayed until it cools off.

 

[MetallicBlue]

Still waiting for my girls to lay. They are Leghorns about 14 weeks old. I've watched them grow and am amazed how fast they grow. The difference in their voices is funny also. When they were little they would peep, now it's like a scream. A few cluck more like I thought they would. From what I've been reading I should have a steady supply of eggs by June. There is no winter here to speak of or to be too cold for the girls.

 

[jkhenry]

i have a 4-1/2 week old roo that has what i think is called waddles under his beak is that a normal stage for that ?

 

[MetallicBlue]

Mine are still not laying. They will be 6 month in the beginning of June. I see that the heat can delay their laying, so we've added some shade cloth over their enclosure to keep them cooler. It literally knocks off about 10*F. Does anyone know if this is a problem or will help them.

 

[turtleduck]

I have Rhode Island Red crosses but I'm not sure how old they are.

 

[ChickNanny13]

i have a 4-1/2 week old roo that has what i think is called waddles under his beak is that a normal stage for that ?

Yup

 

[mscarole]

Thank you so much for the "squat" clue. I'm a first-time chicken owner and my Americauna started to squat when I would reach for her and I thought she wanted me to pet her (which I did). She had her first egg at 20 weeks old and has been giving us one every other day now. We are at egg 6. Do all breeds squat just before they lay eggs?

 

[eggbeforchicken]

so its not laying then

 

[Ron63]

I have not long become a new chicken farmer lol getting my three week old baby (Isa Brown as they were advertised ) chicks (kids choice) and watching waiting as they have grown very quickly and the kids enjoying them but eagerly checking and waiting for the first egg lol only not to be disappointed by my three girls who have just started laying at the early age of 17 weeks, I was told the other day that if your chickens are really happy with there food surroundings and of coarse you they will start laying as early as this, it was strange at first for me as when I entered the garden they would drop down to the ground for me I thought they were ill or something till I looked it up and found it was cause they were ready to lay and look on me as the boss and rightly so lol I would say having chickens as sort of pets is great I never ever realised they are so fascinating to study and watch I think they are a must pet for everyone lol