WOW! 13 week old laid a full size egg today!

[phoenix rooster]

my red stars began laying at 14 weeks, the eggs were small for a week, but got bigger quick. They are awesome, plus their eggs are a really dark brown color. You may want to offer some oyster shells, once they start, you can't stop them from laying.

 

[jossanne]

I'm finding lots of information about possible problems with laying too early. If they're fed too much, too early, they could get too heavy and that would stimulate them to lay earlier than they should. If they get too much artificial light too early, that can make them lay early.

Laying early can lead to prolapse, becoming eggbound, and lots of little tiny eggs that never get bigger. It can also lead to a shorter egg-laying life for the hen.

Here's a quote I got on a site for raising birds in a commercial production setting:
When pullets are moved to the laying house at 16-17 weeks of age, they are not yet fully grown and
should not be fed a layer diet. Layer diets with more than 3 % calcium should not be introduced too
early. Until about 19 weeks of age the hens should get a pre-lay diet, the change to a high-density
layer starter should be made when about 5% production is reached.

Anyway, it's getting late, and my brain's not working so well anymore. I'll look for more info tomorrow.

Looks like you should stick with grower feed until just 2-3 weeks before they should normally begin to lay. Keep their protein up and their calcium down while they grow up.

 

[Fox]

Quote:
Our Golden Comets started laying at 4-5 months and have been laying ever since. The Silkies didn't start laying until 6 months.

I guess you will know if it's a trick if the egg production doesn't return. If it continues, then you have a laying hen!