Winter Egg Laying with Young Hens

[shadowfox]

My chickies are 8 weeks old right now. I've got a few questions.
1. At what age does each breed typically start? I've got Australorps, EEs, and Barred Rocks.
2. I know hens typically don't lay eggs over winter. My girls will mature to laying age over the winter. Do you think they will start laying in January or February? I live in central New Mexico where the winters are pretty mild. Or will they wait until it warms up for good in March?

 

[Poultrybreeder]

Hens will generally lay anytime from 4-6 months of age. And they may lay a few eggs this winter, but most likely not until March.

 

[cholland]

X2
I have had some start as early as 4 1/2 months to as late as almost 9 months old. Short days will probably keep them from laying a lot, but once they mature they should give you a couple of eggs a week until spring and longer days before production picks up.

 

[chickens really]

Pullets usually start anywhere from 16 weeks too 30 weeks..Each pullet is different..Yours will probably start once the days get longer again...
Best wishes...

 

[aart]

My chickies are 8 weeks old right now. I've got a few questions.
1. At what age does each breed typically start? I've got Australorps, EEs, and Barred Rocks.
2. I know hens typically don't lay eggs over winter. My girls will mature to laying age over the winter. Do you think they will start laying in January or February? I live in central New Mexico where the winters are pretty mild. Or will they wait until it warms up for good in March?

If you're not using supplemental lighting they will likely not lay until the days start getting longer after winter solstice. It's about length of daylight, not temperature.
But your birds will be 6 months in March.....the age and light will line up nicely.

 

[chickens really]

If you're not using supplemental lighting they will likely not lay until the days start getting longer after winter solstice. It's about length of daylight, not temperature.
But your birds will be 6 months in March.....the age and light will line up nicely.