When to expect eggs?

[Julieschicks]

We got our first few chickens last Sunday (the 18th)! We got 3mo old pullets. Though I totally forgot to ask how many weeks old they were exactly. We got a black astralorp, an ameracauna, and a light brahma. Just curious if anyone has an idea of when we might expect them to start laying. Or when I should have the nest box ready. Right now I have it blocked off since they were all trying to pile into it to sleep the first couple nights. Want to make sure I have it ready when they’ll need it, but not so early they keep trying to sleep in it or anything like that.

 

[Hufflefluff]

If they're three months old, that should be 12 ish weeks. I'd expect the first egg from your girls when they're 17-18 weeks (if they're the hatchery strains,) and probably closer to 20-22 weeks for the Brahma. So, my guess is mid April? I'd open your nest boxes for them end of March. I, too have dealt with the chicks sleeping together in nest box scenario- so cute, but so annoying

So exciting that you go chickens! I'd love to see pictures/ hear stories- I hope you have so much fun with your new flock.

 

[Julieschicks]

Thanks! We were gifted a small coop and run so we were able to get some earlier than we expected. We’re in the process of building out a much larger coop and run and will add more once it’s finished. If all goes well, we may have the big coop ready by the end of March, so that would be great!

We actually bought 4 chickens, the 4th being a cinnamon queen, but as soon as we got home one of our dogs snuck in while we were preparing to put them in the pen and shoved his head into the closed box and ripped her out and killed her instantly.

I made them a little dust bath this weekend with sand and wood ash in a plastic litter pan and they just loved it!

 

[Hufflefluff]

So cute! And your coop looks fantastic- such lucky chicks
I'm so sorry to hear about the Cinnamon Queen! What a horrible experience. I'm glad that the other three are fine, though.
Anyway, your pullets are adorable, and I hope it's smooth sailing from here on out. They grow up so quickly! Beautiful chickens, beautiful coop... and hopefully soon, beautiful eggs

 

[Chickassan]

They're so pretty! About two more months and you should have eggs. Like has been said your Brahma will probably be last to pop.

 

[Julieschicks]

I need to take a new picture. They’ve already grown so much in the last week! The brahma (Jasmine) was actually injured in the whole dog/chicken scuffle. No flesh wounds, but she had a pretty good limp. She’s doing much much better now. Still a tiny bit of a limp, but doesn’t appear to be affecting her at all.

I think the ameracauna (Pebbles) is going to turn out to be a bit of a bully. Especially towards the australorp (Becky).

 

[K813ZRA]

They vary so much I think by breed as well as bloodline. My earliest were my hatchery stock RIR's. I had one start laying at 17 weeks and the rest between then and 19 weeks. However, my Buff Orpingtons didn't lay until 26 weeks! Everything else fell somewhere between, including my EE's and Australorps.