when do chickens lay

[jmantoo1]

i have 15 rirs pullets that are 20 weeks old. i thought they would lay soon but i read it takes 24 to 26 weeks is this true/ whitch is right

 

[mlheran]

(You'd probably have better luck with answers if this was in a more relevant section.)


20 wks is probably the earliest you could hope to expect eggs from a RIR. Leghorns have been bred to be light, fast growing, and the first to lay at around 19-20 wks (often earlier); RIRs are larger, slower growing birds, that will start laying slightly later but may lay reliably for much longer. So I'd say yes, 24 wks is a much more reasonable time to expect your first eggs (though any time after 22 wks is likely). Either way, you don't have long to wait!

 

[jmantoo1]

thanks

 

[speckledhen]

It really can vary. I have three RIR's that are over a year old now. The first two began laying in their 19th week, but the third didn't start till maybe 23 weeks.