Depending on the breed and the time of year (weather and length of daylight), hens will start laying anywhere from 4 months to nearly a year old. Generally for production type breeds such as RIR, Leghorns, etc., you can expect them to start laying early. What type of chickens do you have? chel
if you don't know how old they are...start to watch their combs and wattles. They'll turn bright bloody red when they're laying Sandra
All of mine started doing the layers squat when I walked up to them, then they layed within the week. They will squat to the ground and then you pet their back They think you're their rooster LOL