For any backyard chicken keeper seeing your hens lay their very first eggs is an exciting milestone. However, it’s normal to be curious and even a little impatient about when you’ll collect that very first egg. So how long does it actually take for a chicken to lay its first egg? Let’s take a closer look.
Overview of Chicken Egg Laying
Before we dive into when chickens first start laying eggs, it helps to understand some basics about the egg laying process.
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Hens are typically ready to lay eggs around 16-20 weeks of age. This can vary slightly by breed
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Egg laying doesn’t start overnight. It’s a gradual process where hens start by producing small, occasional test eggs at first.
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Laying frequency and egg size increase as the hen matures over the next few months. Hens reach peak production at around 30 weeks old.
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Many factors influence the onset of laying like breed, diet, season and daylight hours. We’ll discuss these more below.
When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs?
So when can you expect that very first egg? Here’s a general timeline:
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16-20 weeks: Pullets (young hens) may begin laying as early as 16 weeks but it can take up to 20 weeks or longer. Don’t be concerned if your hen hasn’t started laying eggs by 20 weeks. This is still considered normal.
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4-6 months: Most backyard chicken breeds start laying between 4-6 months of age. Larger breeds tend to start on the later end of this range.
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First 60 days: For the first 60 days after a pullet starts laying, it’s common for eggs to be small and production to be sporadic. You may only get an egg every few days.
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4-8 months: Laying frequency and egg size gradually increase. It takes 4-8 months for hens to reach their peak production.
Factors That Influence When Laying Starts
While age is the primary factor, other elements influence when a pullet starts laying eggs including:
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Breed – Smaller breeds mature and start laying sooner. Larger breeds take longer. For example, Leghorns may start at 16 weeks vs. Brahma at 20+ weeks.
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Season – Chickens lay less in winter when daylight hours are shorter. If hatched in fall, your hen may not lay until spring.
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Diet – Nutrition impacts development. A balanced layer feed with 16% protein or more will support the onset of laying.
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Light Exposure – Chickens require 14-16 hours of daylight to stimulate egg production. Supplemental lighting can encourage hens to start laying sooner.
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Health Issues – Sick chickens or those with parasites are slower to mature and lay eggs. Good sanitation and chicken health are important.
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Individual Variation – No two chickens are exactly alike! The age a hen starts laying can vary quite a bit even among flock mates of the same breed.
Preparing for Your Hen’s First Egg
Once you know around what age to expect the first egg, here are some tips to prepare:
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Familiarize yourself with what normal eggs look like. Odd shapes or textures could indicate a health problem.
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Designate a clean nesting area. Hens like enclosed nest boxes with bedding. Providing a good nest encourages laying behavior.
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Feed a complete layer feed. Switch from a chick starter or pullet feed once laying begins.
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Supplement feed with calcium sources like oyster shell. Calcium supports egg shell production.
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Increase daylight to 14-16 hours using a light on a timer if egg laying stalls in winter.
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Routinely collect eggs to prevent breakage and teach hens to lay in the nests.
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Celebrate! That first egg is a big milestone.
When to Contact a Vet
It’s generally not a concern if your hen starts laying a little later than the age guidelines. However, you should consult your vet if:
- Your hen is over 6 months old and hasn’t laid a single egg
- She stops laying eggs altogether for more than 1-2 weeks
- Significant changes occur in egg quality like thin shells, unusual shapes, etc.
These issues could indicate an underlying health problem requiring investigation.
The Excitement of Egg Laying Beginning
After months of anticipating that first egg, it’s an exciting moment when a pullet finally begins laying. While it requires some patience, you can expect eggs to start arriving around 4-6 months of age in most backyard chickens. With proper care and nutrition, your hen will be happily supplying your kitchen with fresh eggs in no time!
When do hens begin to lay eggs?
During 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.
Lifespan of a hen
Hens may live in backyard flocks for 6-8 years, and most flocks will produce eggs for 3-4 years. The level of egg production, egg size, and shell quality decrease each year. Most commercial layers are kept for 2-3 years as their egg production decreases after this time. To keep a small flock producing, owners should plan to retire old hens and add young hens (pullets) every 2-3 years.
When Do Chickens Start To Lay Eggs? 3 Easy Ways To Tell
FAQ
How long does it take for a chicken to lay an egg for the first time?
Many hens lay their first egg around 18 weeks of age and then lay up to an egg each day, subject to breed, environment and individual bird.
What is the 90 10 rule for chickens?
This rule suggests that 90% of a hen’s diet should consist of a high-quality, complete layer feed that provides a balanced and nutritious foundation. The remaining 10% can be supplemented with healthy additions such as organic scratch grains, oyster shells, fresh vegetables, herbs, and bugs.
How to tell when chickens will start laying eggs?
Chickens typically start laying eggs between 18 and 24 weeks of age, which is roughly 4 to 6 months old. However, the exact timing varies by breed and individual chicken.
Do chickens have a hard time laying their first egg?
If a chicken is young and laying eggs for the first time, she may experience some pain while she gets used to laying. Similarly, if an egg is particularly large, chickens may experience pain while laying. A range of factors affect both a chicken’s pain and comfort while laying.