The breed of chicken determines when they start to lay, as well as the frequency & size of their eggs. We publish weekly guides and articles written by experienced chicken enthusiasts! A triumphant hen will often sing an egg song as soon as she has dropped her first egg. You can get very creative in how you make your own nesting box. Now, squatting is a behavior that you can encourage in your hens. Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, such as Amazon links. Yippee! They may begin laying as early as 16 weeks! When we put in the nesting boxes we added a wooden egg in two of the three boxes. Technically chickens do not need nesting boxes. Often, the first eggs are laid irregularly or are smaller or oddly shaped when compared with a typical egg. Owning chickens can seem daunting at first but once youve set yourself and your chickens up for good habits, its a straightforward responsibility. Other breeds, like Easter Eggers, will produce plenty of eggs for you. Every chicken and breed is different (just like humans! You should also make sure that your nest boxes are filled with plenty of soft nesting material. Between the natural tendency of chickens to scratch bedding (and poop) into their waterers, you should make your best efforts to elevate your waterer and keep it clean. At 18 weeks, choose a complete layer feed with the Purina Oyster Strong System to help your hens lay strong and stay strong. Although most chickens will be fine without heating their coops, it can be a problem. So now, all thats left to do is watch and wait. You cant exactly set your watch by laying age, as it is highly variable. Yet, you havent seen any results or are anxiously awaiting the day youll see those juicy fresh eggs. Nevertheless, here are some of the signs to Some research indicates that the average hen will produce about 600 eggs in her lifetime. How to Make a DIY Tomato Cage: Sturdy, Easy & Cheap! Expect them to start to lay at around 24 weeks of age. the egg was delish too! Hi Carol I agree! In general, chickens begin laying eggs when they are six months old, although this depends on the breed. They may begin laying as early as 16 weeks! Eventually, it will happen. Here are some good choices for nest box Most hens will start laying eggs when theyre about 18 to 20 weeks old, although it may take more time for them to reach their peak output. As you walk by your young hen or reach out a hand to pet her, she may stop, squat, and put her wings out slightly to her sides. Overall it is an individual thing that is beyond the hens control and they will start laying eggs when they are good and ready. Before your hens start to pop out those eggs, there are a couple of things you will need to make their lives easier. Many chicken breeds will naturally lay one egg a day. She had been squating for a week or so ahowever her comb only reddened 2 days before she laid. On average, our chickens laid between 18 and 22 weeks. My silkies dont go in coop at dark like rest of chickens do.I have to put them in every night why? What time of year did they mature? If you interfere with their flock dynamics by adding or removing chickens, this will throw your flocks cycle out of order. Let us know in the comments below, Raising chickens in winter can bring on feelings of dismay because the warmer season is coming to a close. WebThe Earlobe Myth. Ty. You wont find a magic date when they produce their first eggs. The eggs might even have double yolks or no yolks at all. The Nesting Box. Home-raised backyard chicken eggs cant be beat. Try to avoid things like adding new hens to the flock, changing feeds or moving coops. Chickens dont generally start molting until theyve already gone through an egg production cycle, but if your hens came into maturity late in the season (when daylight hours were shorter, for instance) it could be that they are entering a molt. Just as humans need to grow to achieve reproductive maturity, so do chickens. This is nothing to worry about! When Do Most Chickens Start Laying? If so, I bet youre eagerly waiting for those fresh eggs to arrive. Some of those pesky to do things can be Read More , The Australorp is one of the most productive and enjoyable backyard chickens around. Any help really appreciated! The Golden Comet usually lays more eggs than the Usually, these diseases are not a problem in a closed flock as long as you purchased your chicks or pullets from a reputable source. Wild chickens will not lay as many eggs as their tamed counterparts. Silkie chickens, for example, take a while to lay and are therefore kept by backyard chicken keepers more for ornamental or showing purposes rather than for their egg production. Many chicken breeds will naturally lay one egg a day. As you reach that 18-week mark, one can get pretty antsy. Chicks are susceptible to illnesses such as coccidiosis, infectious bronchitis and many others. She is signaling that she is ready and willing to be mounted by a rooster to fertilize her forthcoming eggs. . All you need to do is put your hand out over her. Contact us today or find a dealer near you to get started! WebThe most popular chicken breed known to lay the most eggs is the Rhode Island Red. If you are buying them outright, then ask the seller about age and breed. You should also check that you are buying your chickens from a reputable seller so you can make sure that youre getting trustworthy products. It is unwise to try and push your hens to lay sooner than they are ready for. Still waiting impatiently for that first egg? Think of them as children. I also suggest putting out a source of free-choice calcium (such as crushed oyster shells or eggshells) either as soon as one hen starts laying eggs, or when you begin to notice the other tell-tale signs that eggs are coming soon. These are a hardy dual-purpose breed that can handle cold climates, lay large brown eggs and provide good quality meat. Some, however, delay laying until they are 6 months of age or even older. Please note that we dont suggest lighting the coop to force chickens to continue to lay eggs through winter. If your hens have displayed a change in appetite or behavior, and if they are missing patches of feathers all over their bodies, they could be molting. Using safe, sanitary, and clean methods in your coop will drastically reduce the chance of disease. If you decide to expose your hen to extended periods of light it can cause her to lay more eggs throughout the winter months. But it is important to understand that time is a crucial factor. While you wont know for sure that your hen is laying until y you have seen the first egg, there are some telltale signs to watch out for in the meantime. One of our chickens laid their first egg today. And if your chicken has red lobes, they usually lay brown eggs. If she is ready to lay, her pelvic bones will have pulled apart in a slight separation -or they will be getting ready to pull apart. While some breeds are able to produce eggs year-round, others stop for certain times of the year. On the other hand, heavier breeds like Wyandottes, Orpingtons, and Barred Rocks are known to take a bit longer. Some hit puberty way younger than others. However there is not a magic date at which point they will produce that first egg. If you have carried a child, you know all about the nesting instinct. Most hens will start laying eggs when theyre about 18 to 20 weeks old, although it may take more time for them to reach their peak output. A sexually mature hen will also look mature there wont be any bare spots in her feathers and she will look clean and shiny. What to Expect & How to Care for Molting Chickens, Feeding Chickens Eggshells or Oyster Shells for Essential Calcium & Health, and Chickens Eating Eggs? Anything from parasite infections (like lice, worms, or mice) to transmittable diseases can delay or stop egg production entirely. The time of year you get your chickens can impact when they first start to lay. Some, however, delay laying until they are 6 months of age or even older. Buff Orpington chickens start laying eggs between 22-26 weeks of age (about 6 months). Dont get too excited -there may still be some time left before she begins the process of actually laying an egg. Often, the first eggs are laid irregularly or are smaller or oddly shaped when compared with a typical egg. This question is also variable based on how you are getting your chickens. In general, heavier chicken breeds, such as Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, and Orpingtons, tend to lay a bit later. Whether it is crumble or pellet does not matter, although crumble is easier for bantams and smaller breeds to eat. The chickens start laying eggs at 16-18 weeks old and will continue for 3-4 years before egg production declines. Layer feeds have slightly less protein, and a little extra calcium for proper eggshell formation. This breed, developed in Andalusia, Spain, is renowned for its confidence and beautiful appearance. Poking around the nest box? You are about to reap one of the biggest benefits of owning and raising chickens farm fresh eggs every day of the week! If you are talented you can provide them with curtains for extra privacy. When Do Most Chickens Start Laying? A hen will not produce eggs until she feels ready. (a little bit) easier. They stop laying during this time and it will usually last through the winter into spring. Interestingly the attitude of the older hens towards the new girls becomes a bit more accepting, like she has become a member of the Layer Club. In general, chickens start laying eggs at 6 months old. As a young chicken matures, their combs and/or wattles become increasingly large. When do chickens start laying eggs in a chicken coop? A good way to resolve this is to provide your hens with proper housing via chicken tractors or enclosed runs or to lock them in the coop until there is no longer a threat. The breed of chicken determines when they start to lay, as well as the frequency & size of their eggs. Hope that helps and good luck! Please feel free to ask any questions, or spread the love by sharing or pinning this article! This includes breeds such as Red Comets, Rhode Island Reds, Wyandottes, Leghorns and Easter Eggers. How Many Eggs Do Buff Orpingtons Lay? In fact, some breeds take even longer to start laying eggs. Think of them as children. Hey! : If your flock matured in the fall, you may have to wait until spring for them to lay eggs. Chickens need a certain amount of sunlight to lay eggs which usually correlates to certain times of the year, as in, Spring through Summer is usually their most productive time. Even if you are feeding the perfect layer feed, if you arent providing your chickens with enough of it, you may run into problems. This is where oyster shell comes in. They originated in Australia and are now their national bird. If you are looking Read More . Be sure to check out the video of Phoebe laying an egg at the end of this post! Some breeds, however, can lay much sooner than others. The large majority of chickens will all start to lay eggs sometime between 16-20 weeks old. The average age that a young female chicken starts to lay an egg is around 6 months of age (or around 24 weeks of age). Wild chickens will not lay as many eggs as their tamed counterparts. Most hens will start laying eggs when theyre about 18 to 20 weeks old, although it may take more time for them to reach their peak output. So you have a brooder full of cute little fuzzy chicks racing around. She may even begin to test it out and sit inside, even if she isnt quite ready to lay yet. If you decide to expose your hen to extended periods of light it can cause her to lay more eggs throughout the winter months. WebEarliest egg laying chickens If you're looking for a breed of chickens to lay eggs sooner rather than later, these 5 should be on your list! Again, it also signals that egg production is nigh. WebA chicken typically starts laying eggs around 18 weeks. Skip to three weeks later and theyve stopped laying and all refuse to go to roost unless I usher them in. Once you have guided them through chick hood, they will slowly become more independent in their ways. It all comes down to the breed of bird, their health, and genetics. Many breeds start laying at about 5 months of age. Early layers include Rhode Island Red, barred Plymouth Rock and sex links such as Cinnamon Queen. Is there adequate roosting inside the coop for all of your chickens? This breed, developed in Andalusia, Spain, is renowned for its confidence and beautiful appearance. What age do chickens usually start laying eggs? It was very exciting. The majority of young chickens will start laying eggs the first year that you have them. Over the years, we have had some extra-early overachievers along with our fair share of late bloomers, but found that around 20 to 22 weeks was the most common age for our chickens to start laying eggs. : If your flock matured in the fall, you may have to wait until spring for them to lay eggs. Hi Rebecca, while I cant say for sure why the chickens arent roosting, your chickens may be starting to molt? Golden comets The golden comet can start laying eggs as young as 16 weeks. The hens of this breed lay 200 light-speckled brown eggs or chocolate-colored eggs weighing 2.1-3 ounces yearly. I hope she inspires her sisters to do the same! The downside of this is that they usually dont live much longer than three years and production drops off in the second year. 9 Ways to Prevent or Stop It. Expect to collect eggs daily, or even twice a day. You can, however, put wooden eggs, plastic Easter eggs, or golf balls inside the nest boxes. Next, check out this article about best practices for storing and washing fresh backyard chicken eggs. In general, chickens start laying eggs at 6 months old. What time of year did they mature? This includes breeds such as Red Comets, Rhode Island Reds, Wyandottes, Leghorns and Easter Eggers. My goal is to inspire and help others to lead more healthy, sustainable lives by sharing tips and tools that make gardening and "modern homesteading" easy and enjoyable ~ so you can learn and dive in with me! Oyster shell is a roughly ground source of calcium that is an important supplement for hens. They are one of few breeds to reliability lay blue eggs, so I can appreciate youre anxious to start collecting their eggs. Most chickens begin to lay at about 20 weeks of age. Most eggs lay about four to six eggs per week, but this is largely dependent on the health, genetics, and breed of the specific chicken. These two specific illnesses can cause infected hens to not lay well in future months. Molting, which is the process of shedding old feathers, also reduces egg-laying. I am very encouraged. WebThe most popular chicken breed known to lay the most eggs is the Rhode Island Red. This includes breeds such as Red Comets, Rhode Island Reds, Wyandottes, Leghorns and Easter Eggers. Oyster shell should be provided as a free choice supplement, it should not be mixed in with their regular food. Egyptian Fayoumis live for eight As you reach that 18-week mark, one can get pretty antsy. They rely on you for their every need when they are chicks and yet will grow into confident and personable chickens. So, before your young chickens start laying eggs, they may become increasingly talkative too. (A teenage female chicken, thats less than a year old, is called a pullet .) She hatched on day 24. Chickens tend to like laying eggs in a clutch, where other eggs are. Some breeds will begin laying eggs as early as 16 weeks old, while others may not lay their Change the water frequently and consider using nipple drinkers to streamline the process. You want to increase day length in order to drive your hens to lay. So, you may notice your maturing chickens begin to eat more than usual. Hens will self-regulate their intake as they instinctively know when they need it. Lots of them lay adorable little eggs. Information provided is general purpose only and not meant to replace professional and medical advice. Homestead and Chill 2023 All rights reserved. Hi, Some research indicates that the average hen will produce about 600 eggs in her lifetime. You should check your birds once a month for any outward signs of illness, and bring a fecal sample to a veterinarian if you think you have a problem. Its a pretty simple concept, just like any other species, having a healthy lifestyle equates to happiness which in turn makes your body function the way it should. Some may start laying at 17 weeks, while others hold out until 22 weeks. Other top egg-laying breeds include the Golden Comet, Australorp, Sussex, and Leghorn. For example, if your hen has white lobes, it will lay white eggs. Providing her with extra calcium in the form of oyster shell helps to make sure she has a continual source of calcium if she needs it. 3. Just for fun, here is a video of our girl Phoebe laying an egg: A post shared by Deanna ~ Homestead and Chill (@deannacat3). In general, most chickens start to lay eggs between 16 to 24 weeks old, but thats a wide range of weeks. Then, theyll probably take a break the following winter after that. Worms bins are easy to maintain, divert waste from the landfill, and create black gold for your garden! If you go away on vacation, youll need a reliable chicken-sitterand they can be scarcer than hens teeth! Additional Reading: 20 Best Egg Laying Chickens Signs Your Hen is Ready to Lay Before trying to figure out whether your hen is ready to lay, make sure you first determine that you have a hen and For your rooster, I would look into people in your area with larger properties that may want a rooster, posting something on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or Next Door may a good start. One great way to encourage young chickens to lay eggs in their designated nesting boxes (as opposed to on the coop floor, or hiding them in the yard!) Chickens earlobes can come in a variety of colors, from red to blue to white or iridescent. If youre wondering when do chickens start laying eggs, and how you can encourage them to lay eggs, here is a quick guide filled with tips and tricks that you can follow! KnowYourChickens.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Dont panic! Some, however, delay laying until they are 6 months of age or even older. Jump to: The large majority of chickens will all start to lay eggs sometime between 16-20 weeks old. Your chickens will give you love and you return that by taking good care of them. . How often do chickens lay eggs in the wild? Some hit puberty way younger than others. What age do chickens usually start laying eggs? WebChickens usually start laying eggs when they are around 6 months old. Buff Orpington chickens start laying eggs between 22-26 weeks of age (about 6 months). This is because cold months are not the best time for raising chickens. There are a few factors that will influence when a chicken will start to lay eggs. Do the silkies roost somewhere before you put them into the coop? your chickens have identical patterns, laying behaviors, or volumes.