When are my chickens gonna lay eggs!

[Jessica 123]

Hello,

So I have a question about getting ready for chickens that are about to lay eggs. My chickens are coming on to 18 weeks of age around the time I assume they are getting ready to lay. I have many different breeds: Easter Eggers, Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Rd, Wyandotte, Orpington, and Red Easter Egger, along with two Brahma.

I've been giving them oyster shell eggs and food with calcium in it! I have my nesting boxes in but not fake eggs in yet. I haven't seen any eggs around the run area or the shells of one. What else have people done to prepare their chickens??? It is also hot weather out so does that hinder their ability to lay (85 to 90 degrees all week). What have your experiences been when the egg is first lay's an egg (does the breed matter)?

Take care everyone!

Thank you

Jessica

 

[Sapphire Sebright]

In my experience, chickens usually lay at some six months, give or take a few weeks. It depends on the breed, too -- some will start laying quickly, some will start laying several months after the faster ones.
I think that the meat birds tend to start later than the layers -- Brahmas and Orpingtons, for example.
I don't know exactly when each breed starts, and also remember that some hens might take a few days or so longer than their breed sisters to start.
Good luck with them. I think that at least a couple of those breeds will start sometime in the next few months.

 

[OmnipotentOrpington]

Hens usually tend to start laying anywhere from 4 to 8 months, though it depends on the breed. The Rhode Island Red will probably be the first to lay.

 

[Whigru]

My Barred Rock started at 19 weeks with the Rhode Island Red and Buff Orpington following a week later. I think they were on the early side of the laying spectrum so I am not expecting this next batch to start that soon. When your birds squat when you hover over them or reach down to grab them, that is a sign they are close.

 

[aart]

What have your experiences been when the egg is first lay's an egg (does the breed matter)?

They lay when they are darn well and ready!!
First thing to look for is enlargement of combs and wattles, they will get plump and shiny red. Messing in the nests is the true sign of imminent eggs.
Go ahead an put a fake egg in all but one nests(some don't like the fake eggs at first).

Here's some tips on how to tell.....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/