What age do chickens start laying at?

[Animals45]

Hi! Everybody,
I was wondering what age chickens start laying at?

 

[Animals45]

@Alexandra33 .

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

6 months and on. Mine have laid between 6-8months but it’s not unusual for 10-12 months.

 

[Animals45]

6 months and on. Mine have laid between 6-8months but it’s not unusual for 10-12 months.

Thank you!

 

[BlueBaby]

It all depend's on what breed that they are. Some breed's mature faster than other's, and that also include's the egg layer's, too!

 

[Animals45]

It all depend's on what breed that they are. Some breed's mature faster than other's, and that also include's the egg layer's, too!

Thank you!!

 

[JessicaThistle]

It definitely depends on the breed. Production hens can start laying as young as 16 weeks old. My silkies didn't start laying until 22 weeks. I raise mostly sex-links for production. I make sure the nests are ready and start looking for signs of lay coming on at 16 weeks.

 

[Animals45]

It definitely depends on the breed. Production hens can start laying as young as 16 weeks old. My silkies didn't start laying until 22 weeks. I raise mostly sex-links for production. I make sure the nests are ready and start looking for signs of lay coming on at 16 weeks.

WOW!! THANK YOU!!!!

 

[JessicaThistle]

I forgot to add that the time of year matters too. Spring chicks generally lay earlier than those that come into lay in the fall or winter, in my experience. For example: my 2018 groups that I raised early in the year generally my first egg would come at 16-17 weeks. My group that just started to lay in December didn't start until 20 weeks.

Do you know what things to look for to help identify if your pullet is getting close to lay?

 

[MissChick@dee]

What kind of birds do you have?
How old are they?