When should I start expecting eggs?

[ClickityChick123]

Hi everyone, I have some ten week old chicks and I've been wondering when I should start expecting eggs from them. What are some signs that they are/are getting ready to start laying eggs? Also, when are my big chickens going to stop picking on the little ones? They've been in the same coop for weeks and they are still getting pecked on so much. The little ones are literally too scared to come down to eat and drink and when I let the big chickens out in the run, they act like they're starving. What should I do?

Any help is appreciated, thank you.

 

[500Chickens]

i depends on the chicken, but about 4-8 months for laying eggs. you could feed in 2 spots

 

[ClickityChick123]

i depends on the chicken, but about 4-8 months for laying eggs. you could feed in 2 spots

We have a silver laced wyandotte, cinnamon queen, cochin, blue ameraucana, and a lavender orphington (who we think is a cockerel) and what do you mean by feed in 2 spots?

 

[500Chickens]

put the feed in two different spots so the younger ones could eat too

 

[ClickityChick123]

Thanks for the clarification! I'll look into that.

 

[500Chickens]

sometimes you could tell if they are ready to lay eggs if you put your hand above them and they crouch down. (only one of my chickens does that thoough)

 

[rosemarythyme]

Also, when are my big chickens going to stop picking on the little ones? They've been in the same coop for weeks and they are still getting pecked on so much. The little ones are literally too scared to come down to eat and drink and when I let the big chickens out in the run, they act like they're starving. What should I do?

Photos of your set up would help.

You should have multiple feeders and plenty of clutter https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/page-6#post-25037140 to provide hiding spots so the younger birds always have an avenue of escape.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi everyone, I have some ten week old chicks and I've been wondering when I should start expecting eggs from them.

I've had pullets start laying at 16 weeks. I've had first eggs at nine months. Not many that extreme but a few of each. Breed can influence it some, so can time of the year (mainly from days getting longer or shorter) and other things. Each one is an individual and even pullets of the same breed and from the same flock can vary quite a bit.

I don't know what breeds you have. I have Sussex, Orpington, Delaware, Black Australorp, Rocks, and Ameraucana. Mostly mixes. If I have ten pullets I can usually expect one or two of them to start laying by 20 weeks, about half by 23 or 24 weeks, and the rest by 27 or 28 weeks. But each one is an individual. Any one can be way early or late. If you only have a few, do you have early or late ones? Bottom line, you can start expecting them at 16 weeks but that does not mean you will see any for an additional moth of two.

What are some signs that they are/are getting ready to start laying eggs?

Signs, not guarantees. If the comb and wattles are getting bright red, they are probably getting close. Other things can cause combs and wattles to be bright red and it is possible for a hen to lay with a pale comb and wattles but the bright red is a signal to the rooster that she is probably laying and he needs to fertilize the eggs.

Some pullets start looking for a safe place to lay about a week before they start laying. Some, not all. Some pullets don't know that an egg is coming at all and are surprised when it does but if you find a pullet scratching in your nests it is a good sign.

If you have a rooster they are more likely to squat for him and allow him to fertilize the eggs if they are getting close instead of trying to run away. I haven't seen it (probably because I have a rooster) but some people say their pullets will squat for them if they are getting close.

Also, when are my big chickens going to stop picking on the little ones? They've been in the same coop for weeks and they are still getting pecked on so much. The little ones are literally too scared to come down to eat and drink and when I let the big chickens

A totally normal reaction. Until my pullets are laying I essentially have two different flocks. They are afraid of the adults and avoid them, often panicking if the adults get close. If they invade the personal space of the adults they are likely to get pecked so they quickly learn to stay away.

Photos of your set up would help.

You should have multiple feeders and plenty of clutter https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/page-6#post-25037140 to provide hiding spots so the younger birds always have an avenue of escape.

This is a great thread, even if the link is a little old. It has great people posting in it.

How much room do you have (in feet or meters) in your coop? In your run? Photos of your set-up would help. That way we can give specific suggestions for your situation. In general, give them as much room as you can, don't force them to share a small space, and provide widely separated food and water stations so the chicks can eat and drink without being bullied by the adults. Clutter (things to hide under, behind, or above) can help if your space is tighter than optimum.

Good luck!

 

[Poppy Putentake]

...when are my big chickens going to stop picking on the little ones?

Those older hens will always tend to be higher in the pecking order, although this also depends on the breed and an individual bird's temperament. That said, once the pullets start to lay, the older hens will probablly sort of recognize them as aldults and let them join the flock as junior members.

I've got a smaller secondary coop for housing chicks and half-grown pullets, and that helps prevent this kind of problem. (It's also useful if I want to isolate one bird for any reason.) I've found that when pullets reach laying age, they usually decide on their own to move into the main coop with the grown hens.

 

[ClickityChick123]

Does anyone have any ideas of what leftover things I can use for clutter? And also, where should I put it? How many chicks should supposably fit under there? Other than that, thanks everyone for your input!