When do BR hens start to lay eggs?

[harris farm]

I have two hens now that hatched out 14 little ones each(28 total) last spring. They aren't laying yet. When do they start to lay? Do they have to have a tom to breed to start laying or will they lay without the tom? I am getting a tom today.

 

[boxermom]

Mine have been laying since January. They took a little break and now are laying regularly. I haven't tried to hatch any yet, as it's still pretty cold here and I hadn't seen the tom 'doing his thing'

until a couple weeks ago.