What is the earliest age you have had a hen start laying?

[lisahaschickens]

I have some chicks that are 4 weeks old and they are my first chickens and I am very excited! I am trying to plan a trip in late spring/early summer to visit some family across the country for a few days. I know the average first laying ages are like 20-26 weeks, right? So, if I were gone when they were 16 weeks, would I be safe for not missing the first egg? The family is trying to get us to come when they are 18-19 weeks, but I feel like that is a little close and I REALLY want to be the one to find the first egg.

I appreciate anyone's thoughts...

 

[tomcio]

My first was at 15 and a half weeks.

 

[chickenfever]

What kind of chicks do you have?

 

[lisahaschickens]

15.5! oh no.... boy, I wish I could skip this trip!

my chicks:

6 Cuckoo Marans (straight run, still figuring out sexes)
5 Ameraucana/EE pullets
3 Buff Orpingtons
1 Mystery Chick from MM

 

[chickenfever]

With those breeds of chickens you probably won't have to worry about them laying at 15 weeks. It will probably be closer to 20 weeks.

 

[phoenix rooster]

red stars started at 14.5 weeks

 

[lisahaschickens]

ok, thank you chickenfever.

 

[jlmann]

The ameracaunas may take a bit longer than 20 wks they seem to mature slower than a lot of other birds but the two I have now are very dependable layers of nice size eggs and they both lay an occasional double yolker.

 

[Indiana hens]

I second it! You should be ok unless you have been feeding them high protein feed with a grow light on them?

 

[chickenfever]

Quote:
I agree, my EE hens took about 3-4 weeks longer to start laying than my other hens.