When can I expect eggs??

[jimijames]

Hi!

I was wondering when or how old are the chickens before they will start laying thier first eggs? Thanks!

Jim

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Up to 6 months or longer for some. Some lay at around 4. What breed?

 

[Ridgerunner]

There is no right answer. Breed does make a difference if you have enough to be statistically significant, but it can vary widely by the individual. Some people report eggs as early as 16 weeks, but that is really rare. I'd still have the nests open with fake eggs in them by 16 weeks, but don't hold your breath waiting. Plenty of people don't get any eggs until they are 6 months old. It helps to have several pullets.

When I started, I had 23 pullets, but I ate the non-layers and some of the layers eventually as I went along, so my percentages are not really representative. My first started at 18 weeks. Two weeks later, two more started. Three weeks later, another two started. By the time they were 27 weeks old all I had left were laying. That was only ten pullets but I did eat some that were laying.

Good luck!!!