What's the average age in weeks for egg laying

[Tristan l]

I have 3 production Reds that are 12 weeks and 6 RIR that are 7 weeks

 

[evemfoster]

Around 20 weeks is the time that is quoted a lot. Some early hens lay as early as 18 weeks and some breeds like Easter Eggers take as long as 26 weeks or longer.

Generally the sex-link hens that are breed for chicken farms start earlier and lay more in a shorter time (laying daily). But burn out in a year or two. The hens that take longer to start laying generally don't lay every day but will keep laying for years.

I understand that Orpingtons hold the record for laying for the longest time. Over 10 years. The earliest i have had them start laying is 23 weeks.

 

[chickenlarry]

I have 10 RIR, 4 mature layers that are coming out of molt, and 6 pullets that I purchased as day old chicks I get 2XL eggs a day. my problem is I also get an egg that is about the size of a pheasant egg. we always had chickens when I was a kid, I have never heard of a 9 week old chicken laying. my question is, where is the small egg coming from?

 

[evemfoster]

When chickens are starting to lay, whether new pullets or older hens coming out of a molt will sometimes lay small eggs to start with. The eggs should slowly get larger over time as the area that the egg forms stretches out. Occasionally a hen will keep laying only small eggs. I once had a RIR that only laid extra small eggs all its life.