Some breeds of chickens may start laying eggs sooner than others. 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. I hope she inspires her sisters to do the same! You have embarked on a journey that will, without a doubt, be rewarding and enjoyable. The process of egg laying will leach calcium from the hens body causing brittle bones. Anything from parasite infections (like lice, worms, or mice) to transmittable diseases can delay or stop egg production entirely. In fact, some breeds take even longer to start laying eggs. The best way to combat disease amongst your flock is to keep a coop. Hope that helps and good luck! Every chicken and breed is different (just like humans! Chicken Earlobes - What To Know Golden comets The golden comet can start laying eggs as young as 16 weeks. You want to increase day length in order to drive your hens to lay. In the weeks leading up to the first egg, a young hen will usually start to show more interest in the nesting box area than ever before. Time is a crucial factor in egg production simply because chickens are not born with the ability to lay eggs. This breed, developed in Andalusia, Spain, is renowned for its confidence and beautiful appearance. She might hop inside, try to get comfortable, or even move around some of the bedding. Remember that the quantity and freshness of your feed matter, too. I may make a small commission from purchases made through some of those links, at no extra cost to you. When Will My Chickens Start Laying Eggs When do chickens start laying eggs Chickens need 14-16 hours of daylight in order to lay eggs. Golden comets The golden comet can start laying eggs as young as 16 weeks. The average hen starts to lay eggs at 18-24 weeks, but they can take up to 8 months to start laying. Do hens lay eggs in the winter? When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs Usually, these diseases are not a problem in a closed flock as long as you purchased your chicks or pullets from a reputable source. By observing them closely you will come to know all of their little idiosyncrasies. Too much or too little protein can cause a delayed onset in the time of laying. Owning chickens can seem daunting at first but once youve set yourself and your chickens up for good habits, its a straightforward responsibility. When Will My Chicken Start Laying Eggs The hens of this breed lay 200 light-speckled brown eggs or chocolate-colored eggs weighing 2.1-3 ounces yearly. In the meantime, check out six signs that your pullet is about to Life Cycle of a Laying Hen The majority of young chickens will start laying eggs the first year that you have them. Once you have guided them through chick hood, they will slowly become more independent in their ways. And if your chicken has red lobes, they usually lay brown eggs. Expect to collect eggs daily, or even twice a day. Usually, most pullets are around 18 and 24 weeks old (4 to 5 1/2 months) when they start laying eggs. Answer: Chickens lay as early as 16 weeks of age! Their bodies know best, and need a natural break. When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs As you reach that 18-week mark, one can get pretty antsy. As chickens age, they naturally slow down. Chickens tend to like laying eggs in a clutch, where other eggs are. Is there adequate roosting inside the coop for all of your chickens? A chicken typically starts laying eggs around 18 weeks. 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). Chicken Earlobes - What To Know Your chicks are soon going to be using a large amount of calcium daily. Many chicken breeds will naturally lay one egg a day. As a young hen gears up to start laying eggs, her body will go through numerous changes inside and out. When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs 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. A sexually mature hen will also look mature there wont be any bare spots in her feathers and she will look clean and shiny. Change the water frequently and consider using nipple drinkers to streamline the process. Your email address will not be published. Chickens that have historically been bred for the purpose of egg production often start laying eggs sooner (as early as 17 or 18 weeks old), including Leghorns, Golden Comets, Sex Links, Rhode Island Reds, and Australorps. If you go away on vacation, youll need a reliable chicken-sitterand they can be scarcer than hens teeth! They will also swell and become larger. This is what they have been made for and they do it very well. Bickering more with the other hens? You can, however, put wooden eggs, plastic Easter eggs, or golf balls inside the nest boxes. Many of the more popular breeds (especially the sex links) have been specifically bred to be young and productive layers. The downside of this is that they usually dont live much longer than three years and production drops off in the second year. Once your hens get used to the new nesting boxes, they will rely on them as their favorite spots to lay. Many breeds start laying at about 5 months of age. WebA chicken typically starts laying eggs around 18 weeks. If you have frequent predator problems or suspect them- know that your hens might not lay until they feel secure. The boxes should be placed in the quietest and darkest part of the coop because chickens like privacy to lay and do not appreciate being disturbed while sitting. The Nesting Box. Even if you are feeding the perfect layer feed, if you arent providing your chickens with enough of it, you may run into problems. It should probably be noted here for the uninitiated that the color of your hens first egg will be the color of all of her eggs. If your hens should have started laying weeks ago, but youve yet to see any signs of egg production, think about whether they are laying eggs somewhere besides the nest boxes youve created. Buff Orpington chickens start laying eggs between 22-26 weeks of age (about 6 months). Many factors go into this equation. When Do Chickens Lay Eggs Each egg will demand a hefty dose of calcium to manufacture the shell of the egg. Although most chickens will be fine without heating their coops, it can be a problem. However, some birds will lay sooner, and others will lay later. Although layer feed does contain calcium, some hens require more than is provided by the feed. What age do chickens usually start laying eggs? Do Chickens Lay Eggs? Egg Production Explained Her first few eggs will be small and puny. Clean, fresh water is important at all times of the year, but particularly during these extreme weather conditions. Many commercial strains have been bred to start laying as early as 18 weeks. So, before your young chickens start laying eggs, they may become increasingly talkative too. Until you see that first egg sitting in the nest box, you will likely find yourself wringing your hands in anticipation of that exciting day. When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs Chickens And More is quickly becoming the online destination for all backyard chicken enthusiasts. However, it isnt uncommon for young chickens to continue laying eggs right through their first winter! Information provided is general purpose only and not meant to replace professional and medical advice. Yippee! and I dont blame you! Now, squatting is a behavior that you can encourage in your hens. 3. Home-raised backyard chicken eggs cant be beat. On the other hand, heavier breeds like Wyandottes, Orpingtons, and Barred Rocks are known to take a bit longer. Once your hens reach maturity twenty weeks of age you can feed them a more balanced feed that has up to eighteen percent protein. The golden comet is a cross between a Rhode island red and a white leghorn. Genetically, some of the newer breeds, such as the Golden Comets, have been bred specifically to lay lots of eggs. Some, however, delay laying until they are 6 months of age or even older. Chicken Start Laying Eggs Some breeds will begin laying eggs as early as 16 weeks old, while others may not lay their take a moment to think things through. When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs? Breeds Any purchases made through affiliate links are. You may notice that your hen has become increasingly curious about your nest boxes. If you decide to expose your hen to extended periods of light it can cause her to lay more eggs throughout the winter months. Write us at info(at)knowyourchickens.com with any questions or concerns! If your chickens are coming into maturity or point of lay in the winter, know that you could very well see a delay in initial egg production. And if your chicken has red lobes, they usually lay brown eggs. When Do Buff Orpingtons Start Laying Eggs? (Answered WebChickens usually start laying eggs when they are around 6 months old. 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. The Andalusian chicken is among the oldest chicken breeds that lay white eggs. Your email address will not be published. So now that you know the answer to the question of when do chickens start laying eggs, you are ready to start your journey! At this stage, you should feed a formulation with less protein no more than sixteen percent until they reach twenty weeks. What can I do we have fox& racoon glory I dont dare not shut them in how do I get them to? Please leave your valid email address below. Contact us today or find a dealer near you to get started! If youve already factored out broodiness and molting, the temperature might be the problem with your chickens not laying eggs. WebThe average bird will lay by the time they reach six months of age. I may make a small commission from purchases made through some of those links, at no extra cost to you. Hey Mustapha, just let nature take its course, 16 weeks is the absolute earliest chickens will lay eggs. KnowYourChickens.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Please note that we dont suggest lighting the coop to force chickens to continue to lay eggs through winter. Others are more delayed. Check out this article to learn more about providing essential calcium for laying hens. There are a few breeds that take even longer such as the much loved Silkie. Like we said earlier in this article, providing your chickens with a healthy lifestyle and setting them up for success is the best way to encourage them to lay eggs. These two specific illnesses can cause infected hens to not lay well in future months. . Chickens Many breeds start laying at about 5 months of age. This question is also variable based on how you are getting your chickens. Australrops, Leghorns, and other smaller breeds tend to lay eggs earlier. 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). Chickens And More is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and any other affiliated sites. You may notice that your hens are spending more time inside or engaging in other odd behaviors just before they are ready to lay their first eggs. Buff Orpington chickens start laying eggs between 22-26 weeks of age (about 6 months). Layer feeds have slightly less protein, and a little extra calcium for proper eggshell formation. Some chickens may start laying eggs as early as 16 to 18 weeks old, while others may take upwards of 28 to 32 weeks (closer to 8 months old)! When we put in the nesting boxes we added a wooden egg in two of the three boxes. They are 7 months and 7 days old. If you want to keep your girls laying over winter, see our article here. You wont find a magic date when they produce their first eggs. As you reach that 18-week mark, one can get pretty antsy. The amount of daylight also has an effect on egg production. In general, heavier chicken breeds, such as Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, and Orpingtons, tend to lay a bit later. Just be patient, and remember that other factors come into play, including the breed and time of year. The Nesting Box. It is almost like a proud mother announcing the birth of her new babies. Feel around for three prominent bones near the back of your chicken. It all comes down to the breed of bird, their health, and genetics. Long do Chickens Lay Eggs? Breeds that However there is not a magic date at which point they will produce that first egg. Feed can lose some of its nutritional quality and vitamin content over time. If you want to raise a breed of chicken that will lay eggs very young, consider raising a newer breed like Golden Comets. Have you heard a chicken egg song yet? Some chicken breeds start laying around 18 weeks of age, but the average hen doesnt start start laying until around the 24 week mark. Some hit puberty way younger than others. As an example if you have a hen that lays wrinkly eggs then she most likely has been exposed to infectious bronchitis at some point. This includes breeds such as Red Comets, Rhode Island Reds, Wyandottes, Leghorns and Easter Eggers. Most hens will begin laying between 16-24 weeks, but others are may begin much later. When Do Ameraucana Chickens Start Laying Eggs This will sort itself out in time, so do not panic just wait it out. Silkies develop much slower and are not sexually mature until much later. Just as a hen squats to lay an egg, she will start to demonstrate this behavior just before she is ready to start laying. Before your hens start to pop out those eggs, there are a couple of things you will need to make their lives easier. Hens will lay eggs through spring and summer and into the fall, as long as they have 12 to 14 hours of daylight. As a breed they do, but the individual hen will lay only one color in her lifetime. Take the time now to prepare your nest boxes for your girls. ). Theres not much you can do to get through a molt besides wait but remember, this is unlikely unless your hens are older. Some breeds will begin laying eggs as early as 16 weeks old, while others may not lay their When do chickens start laying eggs in a chicken coop? Chickens earlobes can come in a variety of colors, from red to blue to white or iridescent. The reason is because of a trick that farmers use. In general, chickens begin laying eggs when they are six months old, although this depends on the breed. Many factors go into this equation. Egyptian Fayoumis live for eight Nevertheless, here are some of the signs to A hen will not produce eggs until she feels ready. We have 4 Orpingtons at are about 5 months old, and we got our first egg today. If you have carried a child, you know all about the nesting instinct. What time of year did they mature? Chicken When Do Ameraucana Chickens Start Laying Eggs 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. Comb and Wattle Turn a Deep Red Color Raising Chickens 101 Early layers include Rhode Island Red, barred Plymouth Rock and sex links such as Cinnamon Queen. When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs? Breeds Hi Kam, it may take your chickens a little coaxing to start using their nest boxes but the wooden eggs will usually do the trick. Nutrition is of paramount importance when it comes to good egg production. Both of these diseases leave scarring on the reproductive system to some extent and can impact the number of eggs and the quality of those eggs laid. I am very encouraged. 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. When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs In general, chickens begin laying eggs when they are six months old, although this depends on the breed. 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. When Will My Chicken Start Laying Eggs watch out for. Oyster shell is a roughly ground source of calcium that is an important supplement for hens. Australrops, Leghorns, and other smaller breeds tend to lay eggs earlier. I'll, There's no shame in buying nursery seedlings, We officially broke ground on our new orchard, Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, such as Amazon links. The downside of this is that they usually dont live much longer than three years and production drops off in the second year. Breed: Some smaller breeds reach chicken egg laying age as early as 4 months old, while larger ones dont start until 8 months. Early layers that are in good health may start laying as young as 14 to 16 weeks of age. There are some diseases, like coccidiosis, bronchitis, and fowl pox that cannot only delay egg production, but can also kill your birds. : If your flock matured in the fall, you may have to wait until spring for them to lay eggs. Chickens In fact, some breeds take even longer to start laying eggs. That being said, some breeds start laying younger while others take a little longer. Hens will self-regulate their intake as they instinctively know when they need it. Most hens will begin laying between 16-24 weeks, but others are may begin much later. Required fields are marked *. But it is important to understand that time is a crucial factor. Hello my 3 hens are 13 weeks old and I have a rooster which I didnt want , Ive read remove the eggs daily so the hen doesnt hatch them is that correct I dont want peeps and do t know what to do with my roo The average age that a silkie chicken will begin laying eggs is around 8 months of age. You wont find a magic date when they produce their first eggs. How Many Eggs Do Buff Orpingtons Lay? However if you approach the winter chores as simply yearly maintenance then the outlook can change dramatically. The Golden Comet usually lays more eggs than the Most chickens begin to lay at about 20 weeks of age. Most hens will begin laying between 16-24 weeks, but others are may begin much later. What to Expect & How to Care for Molting Chickens, Feeding Chickens Eggshells or Oyster Shells for Essential Calcium & Health, and Chickens Eating Eggs? When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs? (Guide If you are looking Read More . Expect to collect eggs daily, or even twice a day. Others, such as Orpingtons and the Brahma, have been bred to be dual purpose heritage breeds.