Will we get eggs soon?

[jrudolph305]

This morning when I let them out into the run our rooster did what roosters do. They are 16 1/2 weeks old and he covered one of the white rocks. Of our 15 hens the white and barred rocks seem to be maturing fastest--red combs etc. Does this mean anything regarding how soon we will start getting eggs?

 

[TimBaumann]

Hens lay at about 20 weeks old, depending on breed it might be earlier or later. I have had a rooster mating with a hen long before she started laying so it really depends on the hen. But it shouldn't be too long now that they start laying. If you're lucky they'll start very soon.

 

[ceeceeholt]

I've had Red Stars start at 16 weeks and EE's take as long as 32 weeks. The norm for us has been between 20 and 22 weeks.

 

[jrudolph305]

I didn't think him mating really meant anything in regards to egg laying. Just anxious for that first egg!!