what clues are there to know when a chicken is going to start laying eggs

[user213590]

My girls are only 2 months old, but they're combs are red and they lay on the ground quite a bit.
I have just assumed they're doing this because it's starting to get hot here and they're trying to cool off by laying on the ground. When i let them out to "free range" they fly and run like crazy.
I would love for them to start laying, but figured I wouldn't see eggs from them until at least August or September.....
Thoughts??

Depends on the breed as to when they start laying.
Also the time of year plays an important part. Harder for just about every breed of pullet or hen to lay when it is cold BUT it is hot HOWEVER two Months old is too young to lay for any breed.
Even amoung pullets within the same breed it could vary from one to another.
What kind do you have?
No Matter what their ages are they all love that dirt bath.
It gets those mites off and keeps them off?
It helps to cool them off?
They love to play in the dirt.
Scratch it, lay in it and roll in it.
I have sand for mine.
But they still find that dirt when out for a stroll.

 

[jtn42248]

17 weeks...we're new to chickens and the way I understand it, they usually are around 20 weeks before they start laying. I'm guessing that's why the egg is so small.

One of my hens laid her first egg at about 17 weeks. It was about twice the size of a quarter. Nothing since though. I think it was a practice run and she drew the short straw. She did lay it in the nest and not just drop it from the roost so I hope all the other girls paid attention. I have 24 hens and they will be 20 weeks this Friday. So, based on everything I have read here on BYC, I should see an onslaught of egg laying in another couple of weeks. We can only hope.

 

[subhanalah]

How long has it been since she laid it? Lol.

 

[Randy T]

...

One of my hens laid her first egg at about 17 weeks. It was about twice the size of a quarter. Nothing since though. I think it was a practice run and she drew the short straw. She did lay it in the nest and not just drop it from the roost so I hope all the other girls paid attention. I have 24 hens and they will be 20 weeks this Friday. So, based on everything I have read here on BYC, I should see an onslaught of egg laying in another couple of weeks. We can only

You could have 2 dozen eggs a day...we only have 8 hens and are trying to prepare for that. Are you going to sell some of the eggs?

 

[jtn42248]

Quote: There is the potential for 2 dozen eggs a day though that is pretty unlikely. That would mean that each hen was running at peak performance which probably doesn't happen in the real world. But, we do plan on selling eggs as well as donating to several of the local small town food pantries. They don't get much fresh stuff for those that need it and eggs might be nice as well as a good protein source. Next year we also plan on a garden for ourselves and to donate fresh produce to the pantries. We have this sort of Free Food Farm concept. We are retired and enjoy what we do. We are blessed to have the financial ability to do it. And, we have always believed in sharing.

By the way, we also are raising and breeding ducks and geese for offspring and eggs. So we will have those to deal with as well. One nice thing about large eggs like ducks and geese is that you can sell the blown shells for arts and crafts to help support our habit.

 

[Randy T]

There is the potential for 2 dozen eggs a day though that is pretty unlikely. That would mean that each hen was running at peak performance which probably doesn't happen in the real world. But, we do plan on selling eggs as well as donating to several of the local small town food pantries. They don't get much fresh stuff for those that need it and eggs might be nice as well as a good protein source. Next year we also plan on a garden for ourselves and to donate fresh produce to the pantries. We have this sort of Free Food Farm concept. We are retired and enjoy what we do. We are blessed to have the financial ability to do it. And, we have always believed in sharing.

By the way, we also are raising and breeding ducks and geese for offspring and eggs. So we will have those to deal with as well. One nice thing about large eggs like ducks and geese is that you can sell the blown shells for arts and crafts to help support our habit.

That's a good idea...I'm not sure if we will have many eggs left over (3 teenagers eating us out of house and home) but if we do we can give them to the local womens shelter. My wife and I will give good clothes the kids have outgrown and possibly eggs now to. I know they take food donations also so will see.

We have geese also...2 gooses we hope, one of them might be a gander. Still not to sure there only around 15 weeks. There kinda taking charge of our little farm yard. I don't want to have to rehome them but man they can be grumpy.

 

[cats and chicks]

Depends on the breed as to when they start laying.
Also the time of year plays an important part. Harder for just about every breed of pullet or hen to lay when it is cold BUT it is hot HOWEVER two Months old is too young to lay for any breed.
Even amoung pullets within the same breed it could vary from one to another.
What kind do you have?
No Matter what their ages are they all love that dirt bath.
It gets those mites off and keeps them off?
It helps to cool them off?
They love to play in the dirt.
Scratch it, lay in it and roll in it.
I have sand for mine.
But they still find that dirt when out for a stroll.

 

[cats and chicks]

I have 2 red sex links and 2 leghorns. I figured it's too soon, but can't hardly wait for them to start laying!! My Wyandotte hen is a good layer, but i need more eggs!!!

 

[docrobin]

Yeah, they'll probably all start laying about the same time.
The squawking was (at least an early or practice) egg song. It's like when a cockerel first begins to crow, and it doesn't sound that good, but eventually (most of them) get the hang of it and some of them even sound pretty nice.
Oh, over easy is yummy! =d
Mine free range too. We had to put our container garden into five-gallon buckets so they couldn't eat as much of them.
My avatar is of a hatch I did of my own eggs. There's three chicks there, they're all Red Sex-Link mixes and I have two roosters that were mating with the hens who laid the eggs. (IDK which you're referring to as "graphic" and "photo", but if you can copy and paste them or tell me what they look like, I'll tell you anything you want to know. =)

There is a great deal of drama this morning. Millie, the hen who has already laid 2 eggs, is dominating the nesting boxes and refusing to move. I suspect she is trying to produce her 3rd egg. Josie, a pullet who has yet to lay, is raising a ruckus. She's making a lot of noise (singing? - more like clucking loudly and insistently) and pacing up and down the ramp - Millie sends her away. I made her a nest in a bucket, but she has yet to notice it. Maxine is quietly going about her business. It's driving the dogs crazy and I'm feeling like I need to check every few minutes. (Thank goodness I don't have much other work this morning).

 

[subhanalah]

There is a great deal of drama this morning.  Millie, the hen who has already laid 2 eggs, is dominating the nesting boxes and refusing to move.  I suspect she is trying to produce her 3rd egg.  Josie, a pullet who has yet to lay, is raising a ruckus.  She's making a lot of noise (singing? - more like clucking loudly and insistently) and pacing up and down the ramp - Millie sends her away.  I made her a nest in a bucket, but she has yet to notice it.  Maxine is quietly going about her business.  It's driving the dogs crazy and I'm feeling like I need to check every few minutes.  (Thank goodness I don't have much other work this morning).

I stay with my pullets when they lay too! Lol.
Do you have a fake egg, golf ball or even a real egg to put in the new nest?