Genetically, some of the newer breeds, such as the Golden Comets, have been bred specifically to lay lots of eggs. Chickens They are one of few breeds to reliability lay blue eggs, so I can appreciate youre anxious to start collecting their eggs. The large majority of chickens will all start to lay eggs sometime between 16-20 weeks old. Give the girl a good pet on the back, but keep in mind the biological reason for her squatting behavior isnt about cuddling with humans! It was very exciting. 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 If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us at 800-490-3163, Manufacturer of beautiful backyard chicken coops. 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. At this stage, you should feed a formulation with less protein no more than sixteen percent until they reach twenty weeks. Egg laying will be erratic for a while before your hens settle into a routine. This includes breeds such as Red Comets, Rhode Island Reds, Wyandottes, Leghorns and Easter Eggers. Chickens Just keep in mind that you will need to adjust your feeding patterns slightly as your hens move into the laying stage and we will address this particular issue later on in the article. The male chicken is 6.6-7.7 lbs, while the female is 5.5-6.2 lbs. Some are obvious whereas others are more subtle. As a new owner of chickens or as a veteran, you should know the better your chickens quality of life, the faster they start producing eggs. Do Chickens Lay Eggs? Egg Production Explained take a moment to think things through. You should be able to tell if your Buff Orpingtons are point-of-lay and close to laying their first egg when their combs and wattles redden and they start to squat. As fun as it is to have them bow down I assumed that action had something to do with mating behavior. WebA chicken typically starts laying eggs around 18 weeks. If this happens very early on (under 8 weeks old) it could be a sign that the chicken is a young rooster! Hens arent born ready to lay eggs from day one. Think of them as children. Molting redirects energy from egg laying to growing feathers so it can cause a brief halt in egg production. Comb and Wattle Turn a Deep Red Color (Though Ive read there is something more jarring and irritating about the tone of a rooster crow than hen songs to most people). You dont need to be an advanced carpenter in order to provide suitable nesting areas you can even use milk crates, old wooden boxes, cardboard boxes, or cat carriers as temporary and nesting sites. 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. However, some birds will lay sooner, and others will lay later. Pullets, or young hens, generally reach laying age at around sixteen weeks of age although this can be slightly older or younger depending on the breed. KnowYourChickens.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The male chicken is 6.6-7.7 lbs, while the female is 5.5-6.2 lbs. A newborn will obviously not be able to produce eggs, for most breeds 18 weeks to 6 months is a close range of when your hens can start laying eggs. They are one of few breeds to reliability lay blue eggs, so I can appreciate youre anxious to start collecting their eggs. Great article. When do chickens start laying eggs at different temperatures? 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. How often do chickens lay eggs in the wild? 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 Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs Well talk about the average age that chickens start to lay eggs, how breed plays a role, and a few tell-tale signs that eggs are on the way. She's one of, My top 8 easy annual flowers to grow from see, Love is in the air, and the wildlife are feel, What do all these photos have in common? Many breeds start laying at about 5 months of age. The breed of chicken determines when they start to lay, as well as the frequency & size of their eggs. Most hens will begin laying between 16-24 weeks, but others are may begin much later. Any help? 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)! The myth is that your chickens earlobe color determines the color of eggs your hen will lay. the egg was delish too! Many commercial strains have been bred to start laying as early as 18 weeks. The Andalusian chicken is among the oldest chicken breeds that lay white eggs. Hey Mustapha, just let nature take its course, 16 weeks is the absolute earliest chickens will lay eggs. This means they will develop slower because they are a natural bird. Just a couple of pieces of plywood will work. However there is not a magic date at which point they will produce that first egg. 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! The golden comet is a cross between a Rhode island red and a white leghorn. Expect to collect eggs daily, or even twice a day. If you decide to expose your hen to extended periods of light it can cause her to lay more eggs throughout the winter months. Some, however, delay laying until they are 6 months of age or even older. All she is doing is trying to familiarize herself with her new digs, and theres nothing you need to do (or should do) to discourage or encourage this behavior. What to Expect & How to Care for Molting Chickens, Feeding Chickens Eggshells or Oyster Shells for Essential Calcium & Health, Chickens Eating Eggs? Some people are under the impression that Easter Eggers lay all sorts of colored eggs. All year round, youll have to shovel manure. ). Eggs Just be patient, and remember that other factors come into play, including the breed and time of year. This is an average scale and it can vary from flock to flock. Comb and Wattle Turn a Deep Red Color 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. Do Chickens Know Your Chickens is a free resource dedicated to teaching backyard chicken owners more about their flock. Not only are they very productive but they are also friendly and Read More , Small chickens can make a lovely addition to your flock. 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)! (A teenage female chicken, thats less than a year old, is called a pullet .) That is the process of them getting rid of old feathers and growing new ones to replace the old. See our Top 18 Backyard Chicken Breeds article to learn more about different breeds, including heat and cold-hardiness, general demeanor, egg color and laying frequency. Just be patient, and remember that other factors come into play, including the breed and time of year. Too much or too little protein can cause a delayed onset in the time of laying. The downside of this is that they usually dont live much longer than three years and production drops off in the second year. Chickens need 14-16 hours of daylight in order to lay eggs. A hen will not produce eggs until she feels ready. A few larger breeds, such as Brahmas, Cochins, and Jersey Giants may not start producing until 26 or even 28 weeks The majority of young chickens will start laying eggs the first year that you have them. Eggs The Andalusian chicken is among the oldest chicken breeds that lay white eggs. And if your chicken has red lobes, they usually lay brown eggs. Our chickens sing and squawk for hours before and after they lay an egg. : If your flock matured in the fall, you may have to wait until spring for them to lay eggs. Read more Worms are a living soil amendment, says Cornell University, and a key component to the vitality of our garden! How Many Eggs Do Buff Orpingtons Lay? In fact, some breeds take even longer to start laying eggs. But it is important to understand that time is a crucial factor. Usually, most pullets are around 18 and 24 weeks old (4 to 5 1/2 months) when they start laying eggs. 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!) material: Daylight hours are critical when it comes to encouraging a hen to lay. Luckily, there are some preparatory steps you can take now to make the waiting Increased hunger is a normal sign of impending egg production in layer hens. The chickens start laying eggs at 16-18 weeks old and will continue for 3-4 years before egg production declines. Chicks are susceptible to illnesses such as coccidiosis, infectious bronchitis and many others. Even if you are feeding the perfect layer feed, if you arent providing your chickens with enough of it, you may run into problems. When do chickens start laying eggs As you reach that 18-week mark, one can get pretty antsy. 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. Hi Keith, once your chickens start laying eggs they can be hatched if the egg was fertilized. If you have carried a child, you know all about the nesting instinct. Jump to: If you are looking Read More . Using safe, sanitary, and clean methods in your coop will drastically reduce the chance of disease. Certain breeds of chickens are known to start laying eggs earlier than others, and each breed has their own average age range for egg development. You cant exactly set your watch by laying age, as it is highly variable. Are you a new owner of backyard chickens and need to take that extra step to care for your chickens? Be sure to check out the video of Phoebe laying an egg at the end of this post! Almost immediately, the rooster began to mount them. First and foremost, you need to know that chicken health and happiness are the best way to encourage egg-laying. You should also make sure that your nest boxes are filled with plenty of soft nesting material. Technically chickens do not need nesting boxes. Many chicken breeds will naturally lay one egg a day. A sick chicken will lay poorly. Often, the first eggs are laid irregularly or are smaller or oddly shaped when compared with a typical egg. What time of year did they mature? Life Cycle of a Laying Hen In all, I hope this article helped to clue you in on the signs to watch for as your chickens get ready to lay. It all comes down to the breed of bird, their health, and genetics. They are often called fairy or rooster eggs. It is more about being in tune with their needs and learning about their lifestyle. Every chicken and breed is different (just like humans! 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. Yippee! The average age that a silkie chicken will begin laying eggs is around 8 months of age. Yet, you havent seen any results or are anxiously awaiting the day youll see those juicy fresh eggs. How Many Eggs Do Buff Orpingtons Lay? When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs? Breeds Chicken Earlobes - What To Know When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs Ameraucana chickens start laying eggs between 20-24 weeks (5-6 months) of age. Please leave your valid email address below. Ameraucana chickens start laying eggs between 20-24 weeks (5-6 months) of age. Golden comets The golden comet can start laying eggs as young as 16 weeks. When chickens start laying eggs, their first eggs will be significantly smaller than what theyll regularly lay as fully mature hens. Caring for chickens is not really hard work. In general, chickens begin laying eggs when they are six months old, although this depends on the breed. We already mentioned the importance of providing your hen with proper nutrition in the days prior to, and during, laying. Comb and Wattle Turn a Deep Red Color When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs? (Guide Nest boxes should provide at least one square foot of area for every four hens. WebDuring ideal day length (14-16 hours of light) and with adequate nutrition, housing, and management, hens (depending on breed) should begin producing eggs when they are18- 22 weeks old. How to Make a DIY Tomato Cage: Sturdy, Easy & Cheap! Home-raised backyard chicken eggs cant be beat. How is your hen interacting with the rest of the flock? Chickens earlobes can come in a variety of colors, from red to blue to white or iridescent. WebA chicken typically starts laying eggs around 18 weeks. Please note that we dont suggest lighting the coop to force chickens to continue to lay eggs through winter. Owning chickens can seem daunting at first but once youve set yourself and your chickens up for good habits, its a straightforward responsibility.