What is average age they starting laying eggs?

[Alielsarosie]

I have 3 chickens. 12 week old Rhode Island Red and California white and a 9 week old easter egger. I read somewhere that when you first put them in the coop to close up the nesting boxes until they are close to laying age. To avoid them getting used to sleeping in them. I read on here that reds could start laying as soon as 14 weeks. I guess my question would be a.) when should I switch them from chick food to the grown up food to help produce eggs and b.) they all live in the same space so should I wait until the youngest is older since they will be eating the same food. What should I be looking for and when should I expect it all to start? Sorry for the lengthy post!!

 

[me here in uk]

Signs to look for include squatting when you put your hand near them, your leg near them or even just look at them. Growth and intensity of combs and wattles and massive interest in the nest boxes.

One of mine never showed any of those signs at all, and she was my first layer. Her comb and wattles are still relatively small and pink. She started laying at approximately 21 weeks, another at 22, and what we think was another first egg from another at 23 weeks.

You may also hear the "egg song". Mine rarely do it, I have heard it once. I have been there when they have been laying so I know they haven't been doing it.

I have had golf balls in the nest boxes since day 1, when I got them at 19 weeks. I cleaned the nest boxes out and forgot to put one of the balls back. My first layer moved the golf ball back into "her" nest, so I'm guessing removing them completely isn't gonna happen any time soon!

I'm sorry I can't answer your other questions but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along soon

 

[Spartan22]

14 weeks I thought is pretty early on laying. My leghorns started laying at approximately 17 1/2 weeks which is considered early. I read on most articles that the average laying ages are 18-24 weeks. My first batch of layers were all laying by 22 wks (the heavy breeds)

I switched them to layer feeds when my leghorns started laying and offered crushed oyster shells on the side.

Majority of their combs became really bright red from pink and they have started making melodious tunes, squatting and hopping to their nest(almost restless) for few days before eggs appeared some on the floor some in nests, some under the roosts. I guess they laid while sleeping, some were perfect but tiny , some had no shell. This went on for few days to a week. I didn't open their nests to be used until 17th week. I found some ceramic very lifelike eggs from our local store here and it did encourage them to be consistently using the nests. Just be watchful since if they happened to break an egg, some of them will develop egg eating habits. We collect eggs 2x a day before we go to work and when we get home in the afternoon. I've noticed majority of them are early layers by 10-11am all had laid eggs, some occasional afternoon late layers are rare by 5 pm other wise they skip for the following day. On Saturday and Sunday's we collect eggs more often so they won't step on them to get soiled, we don't wash our eggs so not to lose the "bloom" protective coating. Hope this will help you and enjoy your fresh eggs. My family and friends
Had enjoy ours so much we added few more this year.